The Misunderstanding of Myrrha Junk Ensemble
DDF Commission. Premiere.
Ireland
A bold and empowering retelling of an ancient Greek myth
Junk Ensemble collaborates with acclaimed visual artist Alice Maher for a new work which reawakens the tale of Myrrha from Greek mythology and Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
↓ Read morePrice
€22 full price / €18 conc.
How long?
60 mins (no interval)
From the show
Watch
“Junk Ensemble has created some of the most impressive contemporary dance in Ireland… Enthralling and exact”
The Sunday Times
Cursed by Aphrodite to fall in love with and deceive her own father, Myrrha soon falls pregnant with his child. Escaping his wrath, Myrrha flees Arabia and begs the gods to take pity on her. The gods transform her human form into a myrrh tree, her tears of shame and sadness forming the resin that seeps from the tree’s bark.
In The Misunderstanding of Myrrha, award-winning dance innovators Junk Ensemble reimagine Myrrha’s plight, telling the story through her once-muted voice. Presented through intricate choreography, text, music and stunning visual design by Alice Maher, this solo dance work cycles through the trauma of Myrrha’s curse, the acceptance of her fate, and the rebirth of hope. Myrrha’s existence becomes a thing of beauty as she spits out her fate and declares herself new a being; beyond woman, man or tree.
Credits
- Creation Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, Alice Maher
- Direction and Choreography Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy. Choreography created in collaboration with the performer.
- Scenography and Costume Design Alice Maher
- Lighting Design Stephen Dodd
- Composition Denis Clohessy
- Performer Julie Koenig
- Headpiece Artfx Ltd
- Costume Sarah Foley
- Producer Gwen Van Spÿk
- Assistant Producer Michelle Cahill
- Production Manager Conor Mullan
- Stage Manager Barry O'Donovan
Commissioned by Dublin Dance Festival and supported by Mermaid Arts Centre, Dance Ireland, Project Arts Centre and Shawbrook Dance. Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland | An Chomhairle Ealaion Arts Grant Fund and Dublin City Council.