Ripple Affect

...a diverse piece of contemporary dance with a simple idea at its core - the power of touch and how a hug can affect and resonate...

Ripple Affect artwork by Mark Willett

Ripple Affect (2009-10)

What do you do after you have been hugged, or hugged someone?

What resonates in your body and memory and where does that lead you?

Echo Echo Artistic Director, Steve Batts, used these questions to devise, direct and choreograph a movement performance for five technically gifted and creative female dancers - regular ensemble members Ayesha Mailey and Emily Welther are joined on stage by new collaborators Leilani Weis, Maite Larraneta, and Siobhan Simpson.

Live music is performed by sisters Lorna, Karen and Joleen McLaughlin who make up Donegal based band The Henry Girls.

Eight women produce a warm and inviting blend of duets, solos and group dances, vocal harmony and rich instrumentation. Movement that makes sense. Beauty on a human scale. 

Programme notes

A hug is imprinted in your body. A hug from your mother as a child, a hug at a funeral, a hug before a long absence, a hug with a very old person…

Each leaves an imprint in your body. The imprint itself is memory. You can talk about it, write about it, explain it in words but it is the physical record, which is the primary experience. It has form.

There are associations and meanings in the skin, the flesh, the bones and the nervous system. You have desires to be held or to escape. You make offers of physical intimacy and respond to offers from others. There is a certain pleasure in visiting the feeling of loneliness as well as intimacy.

These memories and desires are the source from which Ripple Affect was made. It is a movement and music performance of about one hour in which memories and poetic possibilities ripple out in small and large waves connecting the world of form with the world of feeling.  

Steve Batts, Director-Choreographer

Credits

  • Director Choreographer Steve Batts
  • Ensemble Ayesha Mailey, Emily Welther, Leilani Weis, Maite Larraneta and Siobhan Simpson
  • Original Music composed and performed by Lorna, Karen and Joleen McLaughlin - The Henry Girls
  • Lighting Design and Technical Manager Robert Dahlke
  • Costume Helen Quigley
  • Artwork Design Mark Willett
  • Photography David McClelland
  • Company Manager Ailbe Beirne
  • Development Officer Sarah Young

Quotes from Critics and Audience

This is a diverse piece of contemporary dance with a simple idea at its core - the power of touch and how a hug can affect and resonate. A simple, affectionate embrace like the humble hug can go a long, long way, as Ripple Affect so eloquently proves.  Culture Northern Ireland

A meditation on intimacy and interaction that has a kind of bed-sit sincerity that is casual but heartfelt.  Michael Seaver, Irish Times

Five dancers and three musicians create an ambience that will soothe your senses and temporarily transport you to a place of light and love.  Culture Northern Ireland

It was just beautiful. Music, voice and dance all merged into a beautiful connection that touched my heart.  Audience member

I enjoyed the performance very much – really visual and imaginative. Great music, voices and loved the exploration of touch, joy and friendship.  Audience member

Past Performances

2009

  • 16th March - Waterside Theatre, Derry (Premiere)
  • 18th March - OMAC, Belfast
  • 19th March - OMAC, Belfast
  • 20th March - Waterside Theatre, Derry
  • 21st March - Waterside Theatre, Derry
  • 24th March - Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo
  • 26th March - An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny
  • 29th March - Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin

2010

  • 12th May - Waterside Theatre, Derry
  • 13th May - Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
  • 14th May - Alley Theatre, Strabane

Special thanks to…

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Fund, Gilly Campbell, the staff at the Waterside Theatre, Echo Echo Board of Directors, Mark Willett, Ursula Laeubli, Majella Mailey and everyone who has supported this project.

Gallery

 

 

 

Projects

Projects

Echo Echo Festival 2023

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Echo Echo Festival Presents Tradition and Beyond (2022)

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Residency Programme

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Open House

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The Motion Ensemble

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Walk By

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Amid the Noise and the Haste by Colin Norrby (2021)

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Consequences

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The Henry Girls and Echo Echo

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Kids Classes

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Echo Echo Festival 2021

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Parent & Toddlers

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Body Wisdom in the Community

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Contact Improvisation

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In Tall Grass

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Echo Hunt

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Making Moves Youth Dance

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Fractals

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Echo Echo Contact Festival 2018

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A Box

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Old Bob's Tale

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Music Programme

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How To Watch Dancing...

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Dance Picnic

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Ripple Affect

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The Cove

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Lost in Frost

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Almost Blue by Irish Modern Dance Theatre

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Echo Echo Digital Programme (2021)

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Festival Open Call (2014-21)

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Without

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Echo Echo Contact Festival 2019

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Body Wisdom

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Ludo Lusi Lusum

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Echo Echo Festival Presents 2021

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Echo Echo Festival 2019

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Festival Workshop Tour (2019)

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Echo Echo Festival 2018

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Festival Workshop Tour (2018)

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Festival Workshop Tour (2017)

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Echo Echo Festival 2017

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Echo Echo Festival 2016

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Festival Workshop Tour (2016)

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Echo Echo Festival 2015

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Echo Echo Festival 2014

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Echo Echo Festival 2013

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Vertical. Nature. Base.

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Into Contact (2010-12)

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Payment Buttons

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Thank you

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