For now we see through a mirror, darkly (2018)
This eerie and mystical performance has been created in collaboration and performed with Jo Hellier and Peter McMaster. The performance includes a Visual Description developed in collaboration with Juliana Capes, which is aimed at describing and interpreting that which cannot be seen, but is present.
It is a bright space, light spring from deep below and from behind. There is nowhere to hide. There are 3 obscured vertical figures; a blood sack, a towering meat stack (or stink horn) and a jelly beast. The 3 figures signify the 3 different fires in the work: The inner fire, the secret fire and the dark fire that stimulates the other two.
Four winds blow through and it is time to journey through the gloom. This highly cryptic pictorial world can be placed under the slogan of its favourite motif – a smiling snake, a dying sun and the gentle droppings of unclean slime. Sometimes the image will spin into the abyss, and sometimes stand at the centre, and sometimes it spreads flat into broad space.
Dark matter is brought to life through great heat and distilled up to twelve times. This phase lasts for a long time so one should be patient. The terror of the situation gives us a moist hug and the most fabulous sphere of wrath, for it is here that the chaotic blood tunnel opens and we visualise the golden nugget. Evocation at its best, for now we see through a mirror, darkly.
Credits
Choreography/Concept: Louise Ahl
Created and performed by: Jo Hellier, Peter McMaster and Louise Ahl
Visual Description: Company in collaboration with Juliana Capes
Dramaturgy: Crystal Cooper
Technical production manager: Michaella Fee
Scenic Painter: Charlotte Powell
Photography: Julia Bauer
Developed through the National Theatre of Scotland’s Starter Programme (supported by McGlashan Charitable Trust), The Work Room, Beacon Arts Centre and Reykjavik Dance Festival. Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Nominated for a Total Theatre & The Place Award for Dance 2019!
Made in Scotland showcase promotional video HERE!
Performances
22nd - 23rd May 2018 at CCA Glasgow as part of Take Me Somewhere Festival
26th April 2019 at Project Art Centre, Dublin as part of Live Collision Festival
13th - 24th August 2019 at Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of Made in Scotland Showcase
Press
Video documentation available upon request.