DDF News — 11 Apr 2023
Read more about The Race by Marc Brew
In 2022 The Ark, Dublin Dance Festival, and Arts & Disability Ireland joined forces to commission a new dance production for children, which would be created by a choreographer who identifies as an artist with a disability. Entitled the MOVE Commission, acclaimed international choreographer Marc Brew was invited to create this piece.
The MOVE Commission set out to create a dynamic new work for young audiences, bringing diverse voices and perspectives to the project, while stimulating and growing accessibility in dance-making practice in Ireland. The project began rehearsals in 2022 and the team, composed of Irish based and international collaborators, is delighted to now present the premiere of this new work - The Race - this May as part of Dublin Dance Festival 2023.
The Race entwines three of Aesop's Fables to create a fun, interactive and colourful world of animals, puppets, theatre and movement for children aged 4+.
Presented by a cast of disabled and non-disabled dance artists, all performances will have integrated ISL and are also accessible without captions thanks to the show’s highly visual style. Audio description and touch tours will be available for every show but will require advance booking. Every performance is relaxed in nature, offering an inclusive audience experience that is welcoming to children who are neurodiverse.
The cast of The Race will be Rob Heaslip, Caoimhe Coburn Gray, Florent Devlesaver and Helen Hall.
The sterling creative team led by Marc Brew (concept and direction) includes Alyson Cummins (Set and Costume Designer), Suzie Cummins (Lighting Designer) Tom Lane (Composer and Sound Designer) Caoimhe Dunne (Puppet Designer) and Kilian Waters (AV Designer).
About the production: Cheer with our cast of animals as the Tortoise and the Hare set off for the finish line, join the Grasshopper in gazing with fascination as the Ants collect food for the winter ahead, and root for the little Mouse as she faces down the mighty Lion. Watch as their journeys unfold through beautiful movement and dance, and share in the lessons they learn along the way.
Acclaimed International disabled choreographer, Artistic Director and dancer, Marc Brew trained as a professional dancer at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and The Australian Ballet School. He has been working in the UK and internationally for over 20 years as a director, choreographer, dancer, teacher and speaker; with the Australian Ballet Company, State Theatre Ballet Company of South Africa, Infinity Dance Theatre, Candoco Dance Company and AXIS Dance Company. Marc was Associate Director with Scottish Dance Theatre, Associate Artistic Director with Ballet Cymru in Wales and was Associate Artist in 2015 at Tramway Theatre in Glasgow. Since 2008 Marc has been dedicating time to his own choreography with Marc Brew Company and his recent choreographic commissions include San Francisco Ballet School, Dancing Wheels, Scottish Ballet, Ballet Cymru (Wales), YDance (Scotland), AXIS Dance Company (USA), Candoco Dance Company (UK), Touch Compass (NZ), Amy Seiwert’s Imagery (USA) and Scottish Dance Theatre (Scotland). Marc was presented with a Centenary Medal for Outstanding Contribution as a dancer and choreographer. His work Remember When was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Best Performance (individual) and his recent solo work For Now, I am… was listed in the Guardians Top 10 Dance Shows for 2016.
Marc was Artistic Director at AXIS Dance Company and is currently Associate Artistic Director at Ballet Cymru.
The Ark
Established in 1995, The Ark is a dedicated cultural centre for children. We create opportunities for children, along with their families and friends or with their school, to discover and love art. We commission, produce and present work for, by and about children, from the ages of two to twelve years old. Child participation is at the heart of our practice and, through our Children’s Council, we have spearheaded a robust model of child participation in arts and culture for a diverse group of children who now inform all of the organisation’s artistic programming and decision making. We also curate specific professional development opportunities for teachers and artists, and work with other like-minded organisations to advance children’s rights to art and culture as part of their learning and development.
Dublin Dance Festival
Dublin Dance Festival brings artists, audiences and communities together to create and share exceptional dance experiences. We present live, digital and collaborative dance opportunities for the widest possible audience. We showcase the best Irish and international dance and act as a vital platform for artists and the creation of new work, culminating in an annual festival each May. Dublin Dance Festival generates opportunities for artists, locally, nationally, internationally and virtually, through residencies, commissions and partnerships and by encouraging artistic collaboration, experimentation, risk-taking and innovation in dance.
Discover dance from world-renowned artists in venues and spaces throughout the city with Dublin Festival’s 2023 Edition, running from 16th – 28th May.
Arts & Disability Ireland
Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI) is the national development and resource organisation for arts and disability. We promote engagement with the arts at all levels – as professional artists, audience members and arts workers – for people of all ages with disabilities of all kinds. We work towards arts programmes and arts venues becoming fully accessible experiences for all audiences. We advocate for inclusive policy and practice which provides real access to all aspects of the arts for people with disabilities, and for everyone.
The Ark gratefully acknowledges the continued support of its principal funder, The Arts Council, and its other annual supporters: the Department of Education, Temple Bar Cultural Trust and Dublin City Council.
Dublin Dance Festival is generously supported by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council.
Press information: Sinead O’Doherty, O’Doherty Communications, contact- sinead@odohertycommunications.com