Can you imagine what it might feel like if a loved one went missing?

This poignant duet broaches the experiences of the families and communities left behind. Missing is a reminder of the fragility and beauty of moments shared. It is a dance poem to those absent and to those left in the abyss of the unknown.

Performed by the outstanding dancers Emma O’Kane and Scotland’s Tom Pritchard, Missing sold out completely when it premiered at the Dublin Dance Festival and was voted one of the Top 10 shows of 2013.

Direction David Bolger
Choreography David Bolger with Emma O’Kane and Tom Pritchard
Cast Emma O’Kane and Tom Pritchard
Lighting Design Eamon Fox
Original Music/Sound Design Ivan Birthistle and Vincent Doherty
Production Manager Des Kenny
Stage Manager Stephanie Ryan
Photography Ros Kavanagh
Graphic Design Clickworks
Line Producer Sarah Latty

 

Can you imagine what it might feel like if a loved one went missing?

This poignant duet broaches the experiences of the families and communities left behind. Missing is a reminder of the fragility and beauty of moments shared. It is a dance poem to those absent and to those left in the abyss of the unknown.

Performed by the outstanding dancers Emma O’Kane and Scotland’s Tom Pritchard, Missing sold out completely when it premiered at the Dublin Dance Festival and was voted one of the Top 10 shows of 2013.

Direction David Bolger
Choreography David Bolger with Emma O’Kane and Tom Pritchard
Cast Emma O’Kane and Tom Pritchard
Lighting Design Eamon Fox
Original Music/Sound Design Ivan Birthistle and Vincent Doherty
Production Manager Des Kenny
Stage Manager Stephanie Ryan
Photography Ros Kavanagh
Graphic Design Clickworks
Line Producer Sarah Latty

 

Reviews and Interviews

**** “O’Kane and Pritchard’s bodies go beyond what words can tell… MISSING reaches out with a finely-tuned intensity” – Mary Brennan, HERALD SCOTLAND 

**** “Dynamic yet heartfelt performances” – Kelly Apter, THE SCOTSMAN 

MISSING takes “us on a weaving path of movement and words into the world of the vanished…its motion and its grace remind us of what is no longer there.” – THE LIST

“Mysterious and atmospheric, David Bolger and CoisCéim’s Missing premiered during Dublin Dance Festival 2013. The work has been carefully researched and rehearsed – and this is seamlessly evident in the sincerity and depth of its delivery. Strong performances, beautiful lighting, meaningful messag… necessarily inconclusive… haunting…” Julia Carruthers, Dublin Dance Festival Director 

“O’Kane always has a strong power, and here she shines through the darkness, giving us a sense of faith and hope. Director David Bolger has dealt with his subject matter with great care. … It’s a dance ‘vigil’, spiritual and true…”  Chris McCormack, Musings in Intermissions

READ: David Bolger’s interview on the DDF Blog 

READ: David Bolger talks to Eithne Shorthall for The Sunday Times 

LISTEN: Newstalk’s Orla Barry interviewed David Bolger for The Green Room  (the interview starts at 38 minutes)

 

What audiences said…

“Beautiful and thought provoking.”

“Moving. Worth seeing for sure. Sensitive yet original concept.”

“Welled up a few times watching Missing – very emotive, beautiful choreography, lighting, score, space.”

“Went to see Missing. Disturbing, unsettling, provocative and totally engaging.”

“Pick of today’s fringe was #Missing @CoisCeim a beautiful lesson in just saying enough, when there is SO much to be said.”

“This always reliable, always innovative dance group’s work is moving and thought provoking. Go see!”

 

About the cast

Emma O'Kane

Emma O’Kane

Emma trained at the Perm State Choreographic School, Russia. She has been a member of CoisCéim Dance Theatre since 2001 and won Dance Europe Award for Outstanding Dancer Of The Year 2010 for her role in Faun. Recent credits include The Dead (Abbey Theatre) Farm (WillFredd Theatre), Codes (MIDASpaces), and Trash (Project Arts Centre). Emma has also been a company member of the The Nizhny Novgorod State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Russia.  Her recent choreographic work includes Farm, (WillFredd), Laundry (Anu Productions), Four Told, (Project Arts Centre), Signature and Solo Collectives (CoisCéim Broadreach).  Assistant Director credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opera Ireland) and Macbecks (Long Road Productions). Emma also co-created and performed The Ballet Ruse with Muirne Bloomer, ABSOLUT Fringe 2010 nomination for Best Production, and was part of the Culture Ireland Showcase in Edinburgh 2011, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011 Total Theatre Award shortlist. Emma is a member of Dance Ireland and Project Arts Centre.

 

Tom PritchardTom Pritchard

Tom is a Glasgow based performer, improviser and facilitator working across dance, theatre, poetry and improvisation. He has performed internationally in solo and ensemble works for companies across Europe and has choreographed for, amongst others, Scottish Dance Theatre, IndepenDANCE and the SSCD. Tom is also an international facilitator of dance, improvisation and multidisciplinary performance and has directed On The Stage Of The Present since 2010, www.onthestageofthepresent.com.

 

Gallery

Photos by Ros Kavanagh

 

Video

 

Past Performances

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE – DANCE BASE
14 – 16 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU | 1-24 August 2014
Supported by Culture Ireland.

DOUBLE BILL COISCÉIM DUETS TOUR – Spring 2014
With the support of the Arts Council Touring and Dissemination of Work Scheme CoisCéim toured SWIMMING WITH MY MOTHER and MISSING to 6 venues around Ireland in Spring 2014.  In addition to the performances, the tour included a variety of workshops:

Draíocht, Blanchardstown Tues 25 March
Backstage Theatre, Longford, Thurs 27 March
George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow, Sat 29 March
Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Tuesday 1 April
Glór, Ennis, Thursday 3 April
Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford, Sat 5 April

DANCE LIMERICK, John’s Square |  Thursday 07 November 2013  |  6.30pm + 8.30pm | dancelimerick.ie
Part of COISCÉIM CONNECTIONS

ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE, Drumcondra | Tuesday 05 November 2013  |   6.30pm 
Part of COISCÉIM CONNECTIONS and the COISCÉIM RESIDENCY at St Patrick’s College
Admission free for Students and Staff of St. Patrick’s College

PREMIERE |DUBLIN DANCE FESTIVAL 2013
Thursday 23 – Saturday 25 May |  6.30pm & 8.30pm
Sunday 26 May | 4.30pm & 6.30pm
at Smock Alley Theatre – Boys’ School, Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Moving Conversations: choreographer David Bolger and invited guests participated in a a panel discussion exploring the issues raised in Missing, as part of DDF’s partnership with Create. Find out more here