Gaza/Blaenannerch

This is a rare opportunity and we are proud to be part of this short tour.

Presented by De Oscuro and the Wales Millennium Centre, this new dance piece takes the goings-on at Blaenannerch as its starting point, and set against Philip Glass' haunting String Quartet No. 5, Gaza/Blaenannerch considers the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a fresh perspective- that of another nation striving to assert its identity: Wales.

Eddie Ladd and Judith Roberts are established and celebrated artists, hailing from different backgrounds. They have joined forces to create Gaza/Blaenannerch.

Gaza/Blaenannerch considers our history and our present predicament. It recognises the clear parallels between the situation here in Wales and that in Palestine. It also unearths a series of little known connections between the two territories.

This is a compelling piece of bilingual dance/ theatre. Its strong, clear narrative fames a series of powerful dance pieces and the human body becomes both an expressive tool and a teaching aid.

"...a wise, considered and impassioned exploration of nationhood, identity and sovereignty which held a capacity audience at Yorkshire Dance spellbound."
Anthony Dunn, Marketing & Communications Manager, Yorkshire Dance

Reviews

The Stage have written a wonderful review - read it online now thestage.co.uk

"expressive and intelligent dance pieces"
"elegantly presents Wales to the wider world, and draws the world to Wales' backyard"
"powerful and important multi-lingual hybrid of dance and physical theatre" The Stage

Performance 24 October at The Place, London reviewed by Jeffrey Gordon Baker  Londondance.com

"As the title suggests, we will come to know the terrain Gaza/Blaenannerch invokes in our imaginations, as at least two different countries; Palestine and Wales simply put, but an intractable and sinister fairy tale land also seems to emerge through the interrogation of these two paralleled worlds."

"Despite a fairly clear sympathy with the Palestinian side of that tragic encounter, the piece was pitched more as a pondering question than an imperative. Research as performance is a hard spot to hit, but Gaza/Blaenannerch is as much dark enchantment as it is topical or political project, as personally searching and honest as it is sharply observed."

Here's a chance to watch rehearsal footage and hear Eddie & Judith talk about the new piece on S4/C Heno and S4/C Pethe

Post Show Discussion Wednesday 31st October

The creators of this performance have suggested a post show dicsussion on Wednesday evening so that the audience can ask questions, give their responses and we can talk about the issues raised in the piece.  Please note the discussion will be on Wednesday night, not Thursday.

Booking your seats!

We believe this event is suitable for ages 14+.  We will be creating a seating plan, so please call after booking your seats online so we can take a contact phone number.  Remember to let us know if you're part of a group and you need to be sat together.  Our phone number for enquiries is 01239 615 952. Doors will open at 7.30pm and there will be a bar available before the performance begins at 8pm.

STRICTLY NO ADMITTANCE AFTER 8PM!  This is very important.  The performance is happening in the main space with seating to the side and in the dance studio space.  It means that the audience has the rare opportunity of being at eye level to the performance, and because of this we are not be able allow late comers into the auditorium.

The Tour

21, 22 and 23 October

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

24 October

The Place, London

31 October and 1 November

Small World Theatre, Cardigan

2 and 3 November

Emily Davies Studio, Aberystwyth

8 and 9 November
Galeri, Caernarfon

A list of venues' websites is available here

Web links:

Eddie Ladd

De Oscuro

Wales Millennium Centre