13 Tongues Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Presented by Dublin Dance Festival and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
Opening Performance | Irish Premiere
Taiwan
A thrilling representation of the sights, sounds and vitality of street life by Asia’s leading contemporary dance company
Tue 14—Wed 15 May 2024
Enter an exquisite and fantastical world as the astonishing Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan return to Dublin Dance Festival and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre to open Dublin Dance Festival’s 2024 Edition.
Price
€25 – €55
How long?
65 mins (no interval)
For group bookings of 10 or more, or if you have any access needs, please contact the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on +353 (0) 1 677 7770 / groups@bgetheatre.ie.
There will be a post-show talk after the performance on Wed 15 May.
Audio Described Performance & Touch Tour: Wed 15 May.
From the show
Watch
‘A sensationally big, indulgent, and visually arresting expression of cultural memory.’
The Times
‘13 Tongues brilliantly combines the simplicity of tradition with technological innovations.’
La Croix
‘13 Tongues demonstrates beautifully the extraordinary, elemental quality of the Cloud Gate dancers, energy coursing through their butter-soft, titanium-strength bodies, limbs curling like tendrils of smoke.’
The Guardian
13 Tongues brings to life Artistic Director CHENG Tsung-lung's cherished childhood memories of the sights, sounds and vitality of Taipei's historic Bangka district. Cheng's inspiration stems from his mother's tales of "Thirteen Tongues," the renowned 1960s street artist and storyteller, who masterfully conjured up Bangka’s many characters in his vivid performances.
Beginning and ending with the sound of a single hand bell, the evocative musical score interweaves Taiwanese folk songs, Taoist chant, and electronica to bring us on a journey from the ancient to the contemporary. Amidst light projections of brilliant colours, shapes, and images, the Cloud Gate dancers perform with astounding control, fluidity and grace. Together, they create an immersive and exhilarating representation of Bangka’s bustling street life, bridging generations of behaviours and beliefs.
Credits
- Choreography CHENG Tsung-lung
- Performers CHAN Pui-pui, CHEN Lien-wei, CHOU Chen-yeh, FAN Chia-hsuan, HUANG Lu-kai, HUANG Mei-ya, HUANG Yen-cheng, LEE Tzu-chun, SHAO Hsing-wen, YEH Po-sheng, YEN Hsueh-hsin
- Music LIM Giong
- Art Design HO Chia-hsing
- Lighting Design SHEN Po-hung
- Projection Design Ethan WANG
- Costume Design LIN Bing-hao
- Voice Coach TSAI Pao-chang
Commissioned by National Performing Arts Center – National Theater & Concert Hall
