Welsh culture told through rugby and dance
FRESHLY returned from supporting Wales’ Rugby World Cup squad in Japan performing its new rugbythemed work, National Dance Company Wales prepares to score its next winning goal; to ensure that its work can be enjoyed by all people, so that everyone across the nation can feel welcome and inspired to try contemporary dance and experience the magic of movement.
Roots showcases four of the company’s favourite pieces.
Each is short and dynamic and tells a story through dance; exploring relatable themes of Welsh life and culture.
The performances and discussion are designed for audiences of all ages to enjoy.
Each dance piece is introduced to help everyone find their own meanings within the stories and followed by a Q&A session to share behind the scenes secrets of the choreographers and dancers.
The four short works included in the evening are:
■ A brand-new piece of work entitled Codi, by Swansea’s Anthony Matsena is about Welsh people who come together to tackle isolation and depression during troubled times, inspired by miners and their families. It’s an energetic and uplifting dance about the strength of communities.
■ Rygbi: Annwyl i mi / Dear to me by NDCWales Artistic Director Fearghus Ó Conchúir celebrates rugby in Wales and highlights the hopes, glory and passion of rallying together on and off the pitch. Rygbi was created with input from rugby fans and players across Wales.
■ Écrit by Nikita Goile was inspired by a letter from iconic artist Frida Kahlo to her partner Diego. The clever duet is performed by a female dancer and a giant silhouette of her lover. A beautiful power struggle that reflects the ups and downs of passionate relationships.
■ Why Are People Clapping!? by Ed Myhill is set to composer Steve Reich’s Clapping Music and uses rhythm as a driving force. The dancers use lively movement and clapping to create a soundtrack for the fun and dynamic dance.
The Roots tour is part of a programme to develop dance in new places across Wales supported by a grant from the Esmée Fairburn Foundation.
NDCWales embarks on an extended run this year visiting venues in Caernarfon, Mold, Pwllheli and Aberdyfi.
As part of the Roots programme, there will be more than 40 workshops delivered to schoolchildren, refugee groups, dance and theatre groups, groups for older people and the general public, so that they can learn more about the dance pieces and some of the movements from the performances.
Tickets for Roots 2019 at Theatr Clwyd (Mold) November 7-8 at 7.45pm; Neuadd Dyfi (Aberdyfi) November 24 at 7.30pm, Galeri (Caernarfon) November 26 at 7.30pm, Neuadd Dwyfor (Pwllheli) November 27 at 7.30pm. More details available at ndcwales.co.uk.