Ripple Affect tour begins!
Ripple Affect premieres on Monday 16th March 2009
Ripple Affect is the latest piece of original work to come from Echo Echo and is a return to what the company does best.
Directed and choreographed by the company's co-artistic director, Steve Batts, the work was based on an exploration of hugs. Steve and the dancers looked back to memories of hugs such as the hug a parent gives to their child after they fall and scrape their knee or the hug that someone is given when they find out they achieved good exam results.The notion being that these hugs leave a physical imprint.
This research was then moulded into a beautiful hour-long performance featuring set choreography and improvisation with solos, duets and group dances.
The movement is enhanced by the sweet harmonies of sisters Joleen, Lorna and Karen McLaughlin who make up The Henry Girls. The group from Inishowen have a steady fan base from their two albums and numerous performances throughout Derry and Donegal.
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company is hoping to build on the success of its previous work, Consequences in 2007 when reviewers from the Belfast News Letter said the production was: "Bathed in the glow of a mesmerising dream-logic...Wonderfully right" whilst The Irish Times called it: "Superbly accomplished".
Welcoming Ripple Affect, Gilly Campbell, Arts Development Officer with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: "‘Echo Echo' has been one of our core clients for a number of years. We are delighted to see Ripple Affect come to fruition, through additional funding from the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
"Supporting Dance is a major strand of our work, reflected in the recently developed Dance Strategy for Northern Ireland. This work, with Steve Batts at the helm, is an excellent example of professional Dance creation, development, production and performance, and I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to attend what promises to be a great event".
Tickets are on sale for all performances. To book your tickets, contact the relevant theatre box office- you can find venue information by clicking here.
Ripple Affect is supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Fund.
Dance Picnic on Saturday 7th MARCH 2009!
Dance Picnic
Following on from the best attended Dance Picnic so far, the company invites you and as many guests as you'd like to enjoy another afternoon of dance
in the Echo Echo Dance Studio, Waterside Theatre on Saturday 7th March.
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Saturday 7th March 2009
1.30pm - 4.30pm
Entry: £3 with group and family discounts available
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Have you ever been to an Echo Echo workshop or class?
Does your child dance with Echo Echo?
Are you a member of Daring Feet Youth Dance?
Maybe you've never danced before?
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Whoever you are, Dance Picnic is an opportunity for everyone - not just kids but all ages, abilities and experience - to join together and have a wonderful time dancing for an afternoon. Bring along cakes, salads or sandwiches to share and enjoy the Dance Picnic.
RSVP to:
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company
Tel/Fax: 028 7134 2266
Email: info@echoechodance.com
Download Dance Picnic flyer here (pdf, 1MB) Design by Mark Willett
New production Ripple Affect begins development in the Echo Echo Studio
RIPPLE AFFECT BEGINS DEVELOPMENT AND REHEARSAL
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company's all-female cast of its new production, Ripple Affect have arrived in Derry and started developing this exciting dance piece led by Steve Batts.
In the new work, there will be a total of eight women on stage - five dancers and three musicians.
Steve Batts, co-artistic director of Echo Echo has devised, directed and choreographed a full-length dance piece after asking questions such as: "What do you do after you have been hugged? "What sort of imprint does it leave with you, if any?"
Steve, an internationally renowned dancer and choreographer, describes the dancers involved as "exceptionally expressive, technically gifted, and creative" adding that the live musicians The Henry Girls are "remarkable".
Explaining why he chose an all female cast, Steve said: "There are generally more female professional dancers out there but more than that, it was important that this piece didn't become a love affair issue."
Included in the talented ensemble are three international dancers who have just arrived in Derry to begin the development and rehearsal period with the company. They have come to the city from Germany, Italy and Spain to work with the rest of the homegrown cast.
Development Officer, Sarah Young said: "We are incredibly excited about this production. It is a beautiful cast of dancers and musicians with a lovely mix of local and international influences."
Company Manager, Ailbe Beirne added: "The whole company is looking forward to making Ripple Affect and getting back into the theatre again. Echo Echo has built up excellent relations with all of the tour venues so hopefully that will translate into good audience numbers.
"People often complain about being bored and having nothing to do so I would particularly encourage people who haven't seen a dance piece or an Echo Echo show to come along and check it out. You will be pleasantly surprised!"
It will be five weeks of hard work before the premiere in The Waterside Theatre on Monday 16th March and then a fortnight of performances visiting Belfast, Sligo, Letterkenny and Dublin.
Although Derry based, Echo Echo is considered to be Northern Ireland's leading contemporary dance company and it is hoping to follow on from the successful 2007 tour of Consequences directed by Wolfgang Hoffmann.
The Belfast News Letter said the production was: "Bathed in the glow of a mesmerising dream-logic...Wonderfully right" whilst The Irish Times called it: "Superbly accomplished".
As director, Steve promises: " Ripple Affect will be movement that makes sense and beauty on a human scale- don't miss it!"
Tickets are already on sale for the March tour. For more information, visit www.echoechodance.com or contact Echo Echo on +44(0)28 7134 2266.
Ripple Affect is supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Fund.
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