Knots
CoisCéim’s Knots was a fascinating piece of dance theatre that piled on the action for most of its 90 minutes in a whirlwind of terrific, high-energy dancing. Taking its title from the book by RD Laing, this show managed to be both highly entertaining and surprisingly thought-provoking, delving way beneath the surface as various Jacks and Jills got caught up in the tortuous cycle of the blame game.
We spend our lives looking for the perfect partner with whom we can ‘Tie the Knot’, and when we think we’ve found them, we spend the rest of our lives examining the frayed ends.
Using brutal and high-octane choreography and the insightful writings of psychoanalyst R.D. Laing, KNOTS takes us through a series of passionate physical and verbal confrontations as it tries to unravel the twists and turns of life with someone else.
The production was inspired by R.D. Laing’s book ‘Knots’. In this book he uses his experience in psychotherapy and couples’ therapy to examine the ways in which our minds interfere with our personal relationships. The dynamic twists, turns and convolutions in our relationships are played out in dialogue scenarios. It was these scenarios that the director and cast used as their starting point to create a piece which fuses text and movement.
Guest choreographer Liam Steel (of DV8 fame) has pushed CoisCéim into new territory, physically and emotionally….it is a confident response to the vexed question of whether dance can communicate ideas
This exhilarating devised production directed by Liam Steel, is the most accomplished to date in CoisCéim’s ongoing project to merge the aesthetics and skills of contemporary dance and theatre. The performers astound in their ability to perform complex choreography while acting with complete emotional commitment. Their vivacity undercuts what could otherwise have become a bleak vision of the possibility of happy union.
The Fringe’s “Knots” was the outstanding production of both festivals.
This is not a piece of work that “contemporary dance” virgins (or sceptics) need be afraid of – it’s accessible to the point of being in yer face. And the vulgarity and burlesque of the sexual game that they play on stage produces moments of beauty too. This is dance with a jagged edge…
Gallery
Performed at
US TOUR
Kasser Theater
Montclare State University, New Jersey, USA
6 - 9 March 2008
US Tour
Edison Theater
St.Louis, Missouri, USA
29 February - 1 March 2008
US Tour
Irvine Berkeley Theater
California, USA
26 February 2008
UK Tour
Southbank Centre
London, United Kingdom
8 - 9 December 2007
UK Tour
Welsh Millennium Centre
Cardiff, United Kingdom
4 - 5 December 2007
Irish Tour
Project Arts Centre
Dublin
27 November - 1 December 2007
UK TOUR
The Lowry
Salford, United Kingdom
22 - 23 November 2007
UK TOUR
Komedia
Brighton, United Kingdom
14 - 16 November 2007
UK Tour
Nuffield Theatre
Southampton, United Kingdom
8 - 10 November 2007
Tour
Theatre IM Pfalzbau
Ludwighshafen, Germany
31 October - 1 November 2007
Tour
Venice Biennale 5th International Dance Festival
Venice, Italy
29 - 30 June 2007
UK TOUR
Tron Theatre
Glasgow, Scotland
2 September 2006
UK TOUR
Aurora Nova
Edinburgh, Scotland
4 - 28 August 2006
TOUR
Kleines Haus
Freiburg, Germany
15 July 2006
Irish Tour
Cork Opera House
Cork
28 February 2006
Irish Tour
Mermaid Arts Centre
Bray
25 February 2006
Irish Tour
Backstage Theatre
Longford
23 February 2006
Irish Tour
An Grianán Theatre
Letterkenny
21 February 2006
Irish Tour
Pavilion Theatre
Dún Laoghaire
18 February 2006
Irish Tour
Town Hall Theatre
Galway
15 February 2006
Irish Tour
Glór Theatre
Ennis
13 February 2006
Irish Tour
Ardhowen Theatre
Enniskillen
9 February 2006
Irish Tour
Civic Theatre
Tallaght
7 February 2006
Premiere | Dublin Fringe Festival
Samuel Beckett Theatre
Dublin
21 - 29 September 2005
Credits
Cast David Bolger, jen fleenor, geir hytten, Eddie Kay, Emma O’Kane, Diane O’Keefe, Muirne Bloomer, Robert Jackson
Director Liam Steel
devised by the company
text excerpts from knots by r.d. laing
additional text liam steel & the company
music various
Lighting design Ian Scott
Set & Costume design Ferdia Murphy
Sound design Alexis Nealon
Producer jenny traynor
Production Manager Rob Furey
Stage Manager Fearga O’Doherty
Sound Engineer Alexis Nealon
hair & makeup val sherlock
Chief LX Aidan Wallace
Set construction Fayco
production administration paul carton
publicity zoetrope
Graphic Design ALPHABET SOUP
photography chris nash & pat redmond
AND THANK YOU TO: OUR BOARD | THE ARTS COUNCIL/AN CHOMHAIRLE EALAÍON | THE CULTURE IRELAND COMMITTEE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL | AND EVERYBODY AT THE PROJECT
