The Cove

A dance theatre performance inspired by memories of a hidden cove on the Donegal coast

Image of Port-a-doris

About The Cove

The Cove is an original piece of dance-theatre which was inspired by the hidden Port-a-Doris Cove, near Shroove, on the North Donegal coast. It pulses with memories of scaling crags with sea below, feeling the rocks with fingertips, smelling and tasting the air. The effort… the challenge…the pleasure… the fear and sense of mortality.

Critically acclaimed work by Steve Batts and Belfast-based artist Dan Shipsides   with Echo Echo ensemble of six dancers, featuring innovative set installation by Dan Shipsides, original score by Christopher Norby, and Costume by Helen Quigley.

The Cove was developed from the Batts-Shipsides project Vertical Nature Base, and was originally produced with support of the Legacy Trust UK Connections programme, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

The Cove was recently recognised as a Highlight of Stage and Screen Design 2007-14 by Irish Theatre Institute  .

the dance is a multi-layered meditation on overcoming the constant force of gravity and the fear of falling in order to achieve the joyous freedom of the peak. Michael Seaver, Irish Theatre Magazine

The Cove credits

Created by Steve Batts and Dan Shipsides

Produced by Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company 

Director-Choreographer: Steve Batts

Set installation: Dan Shipsides

Dancers (2017): Esther Alleyne, Ayesha Mailey, Kelly Quigley, Zoe Ramsey, Tonya Sheina, Maria Svensson

Original score: Christopher Norby with Colin Norrby

Costume: Helen Quigley

Lighting Design and tour Technical Manager: Barry Davis

Lighting Design (2012): Robert Dahlke

Tour Technical Support: John-Paul Conaghan, Darren Owens 

The Cove Artwork: Mark Willett

Design: zoocreative

Photography: Sarah Bryden PhotographyDan Shipsides, Steve Batts and Living Witness Productions

Video: R&D Media

Video

 

Past performances

2017

The Cove 2017 was supported by the North South Touring Fund, Arts Council of Ireland and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

2014

At Echo Echo Studios, Derry

  • Wednesday 14th May to Saturday 17th May (Five performances)

2012

  • Wednesday 3rd October, An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny
  • Friday 5th October, Roe Valley Arts Centre, Limavady
  • Tuesday 9th October, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
  • Wednesday 10th October, Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown
  • Friday 12th October, Black Box, Belfast
  • Saturday 13th October, Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick
  • Wednesday 17th October, Millennium Forum, Derry

The Cove 2012 was supported by Legacy Trust UK and Arts Council NI. 

Gallery

Gallery images by Sarah Bryden Photography and Living Witness Productions

Projects

Projects

Echo Echo Festival Presents Tradition and Beyond (2023)

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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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Echo Echo Contact Festival 2019

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Almost Blue by Irish Modern Dance Theatre

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The Motion Ensemble

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Open House

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Echo Echo Digital Programme (2021)

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Festival Open Call (2014-21)

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Contact Improvisation

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Lost in Frost

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Echo Hunt

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Kids Classes

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Music Programme

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In Tall Grass

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The Henry Girls and Echo Echo

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Ripple Affect

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Dance Picnic

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Consequences

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How To Watch Dancing...

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Making Moves Youth Dance

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Old Bob's Tale

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A Box

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Body Wisdom in the Community

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Body Wisdom

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Walk By

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Echo Echo Festival 2021

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Echo Echo Contact Festival 2018

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Without

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Parent & Toddlers

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

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GHOSTS by Gemma Walker-Farren & Echo Echo

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The Cove

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Fractals

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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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Festival Workshop Tour (2018)

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Echo Echo Festival 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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Into Contact (2010-12)

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Vertical. Nature. Base.

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Payment Buttons

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Thank you

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