Brighton Festival: Dance & Circus

Let’s Dance

Underworld and Look At Me Now, Mummy
Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival associate artist Vincent Dance Theatre – led by the inspiring choreographer Charlotte Vincent – celebrate their 21st birthday this year; and in recognition they’re performing two works in May as part of their 21 Years / 21 Works programme. Performed amidst a maze of chairs and inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Underworld is a smoky and riveting journey, whilst the chaotic Look At Me Now, Mummy explores the darkly comic side of being a domestic Goddess. In a special immersive event on Wed 13 May, both shows will be repeated back to back, with audiences free to come and go as they please between performances in a wonderfully unique promenade style experience.
Tue 12 & Wed 13 May; Underworld – 5pm & 8.30pm (12 May), Look At Me Now, Mummy – 4pm & 7.30pm (12 May), Underworld and Look At Me Now, Mummy – 6pm (13 May)


Fragments Volume I
With a repertoire of more than 30 pieces to his name, Montreal-based choreographer Sylvain Émard presents a UK premiere of work; a collage of solos and duets featuring four different performers, including 81-year old actress Monique Miller. Inspired by the notion of urgency, the pieces are both intense and often surprising, leading one publication to hail the collection of works as ‘a masterpiece’.
Tues 19 May, 8pm, Brighton Dome Corn Exchange


Carousel
An eclectic Balkan and Gypsy-influenced score sets the musical background to Southpaw Dance Company’s energetic piece performed for free at The Level. Featuring a fully-functioning merry-go-round, this stylish work centres on several intriguing characters who live in a fairground. Performed at dusk, it’s a thrilling piece of dance theatre work that explores what happens when the neon lights of the rides go dark.
Fri 22 & Sat 23 May. 9pm, The Level

Give me a reason to live
This solo piece – inspired by the medieval painter Hieronymus  – seeks to explore the issues of religion, in particular religious art, alongside questions regarding judgement of bodies and quality of life. It is performed on crutches by multi-disciplinary performer and choreographer Claire Cunnigham; a critically acclaimed artist whose previous work has been praised for their humourous and intelligent challenges to issues of aesthetics and dance.
Tue 19 & Wed 20 May, 7.30pm, The Old Market.

ROLL UP ROLL UP!

Beyond
Having stunned audiences with their acrobatic work in Brighton Festival 2013’s How Like An Angel, Australian company Circa return to the south coast with this stunning, sometimes surreal and often comic work that features everything from Rubik’s Cubes to white rabbits. Featuring some truly mind-blowing feats of strength, skill and agility, prepare yourself for a truly thrilling spectacle that’s suitable for all the family.
Sat 2 & Sun 3 May, 2.30pm and 7.30pm (Sat), Brighton Dome Concert Hall

The Forgotten / L’Oublie(e)
Raphaëlle Boitel – considered French circus royalty – presents the UK premiere of her directorial debut in a Brighton Festival exclusive. A woman delves into her comatose lover’s mind to explore his memories – journeying through his subconscious and encountering secret dreams and haunting apparitions. An epic piece of contemporary circus, this mesmerising work incorporates illusion, aerial stunts and beautiful choreography to create a show unlike any other.
Tues 19 & Wed 20 May, 7.30pm, Brighton Dome Concert Hall