Mermaids

Mermaids is the most visually stunning CoisCéim show thus far

MERMAIDS takes as its starting point Hans Christian Andersen’s story 'The Little Mermaid'. ‘She would have wept, but mermaids cannot weep, and therefore, when they are troubled, suffer infinitely more than humans do’ – Andersen. Written in 1836 'The Little Mermaid' deals with themes of love, yearning, suffering, self-sacrifice and ultimately transformation. David Bolger’s contemporary dance work explores man’s increasingly destructive relationship with the sea and the myths surrounding those mysterious creatures…mermaids.

The excellent cast performed the ensembles, trios and duets splendidly, bringing me into their almost weightless world. Mermaids is accessible, enjoyable and essential viewing for all dance lovers

Ethereal, dramatic and visually arresting. Mermaids is peppered with beautiful moments, from hypnotic solos by Robert Jackson and Rebecca Reilly to grounded duets and a delicately aggressive sacrifice sequence

Gallery

An ensemble with one figure facing away and others bent double towards the floor

One figure seated on the stage floor with another in movement against her with legs raised

Five figures in a line in movement with torsos bent and faces raised towards the camera

Three figures in movement standing and two figures on the floor all cast in blue light

A figure in movement at the centre of a cluster of other dancers upraised legs

Four figures seated on the stage floor holding shards of mirror in front of their faces

Two figures in movement cast in blue light

Performed at

ASIA TOUR

Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre

Shanghai, China

3 - 5 June 2004

ASIA TOUR

Mini Theatre of Beijing’s People’s Arts Theatre

Beijing, China

27 - 29 May 2004

Premiere

Project Arts Centre

Dublin

23 May - 7 June 2003

Credits

Original Cast Muirne Bloomer, Robert Jackson, Nanette Kincaid, Jonathan Mitchell, Emma O’Kane, Rebecca Reilly
Cast (China) Muirne Bloomer, Robert Jackson, Nanette Kincaid, Daryn Crosbie, Emma O’Kane, Aisling Doyle

Choreographer David Bolger
Composer Conor Linehan
Lighting John Comiskey
Sound Paul Groothuis
Costume Jodie Fried
Musicians Conor Linehan (Piano), Ellen Cranitch (Flute)
Boy Soprano Voices Andrew Hall, Sebastian O’Shea-Farren
Hair & Make-up Val Sherlock
Line Producer Jane Daly
Production Manager Marie Breen
Stage Manager Paula Tierney
Graphic Design ALPHABET SOUP
PHOTOGRAPHY HUGO GLENDinNing