Fabulous Beast Rian 5-6 September 2014

Programme

Fabulous Beast is described as one of the most original dance theatre companies in the world. Now they are visiting Dansens Hus for the first time with Rian which has been touring the world on all continents for three years.

Choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan and composer Liam Ó Maonlaí are interviewed about the work of the Rian

trailer for Rian at Sadler's Wells in London

Rian is a life-affirming performance that combines Irish dance and music traditions with influences from near and far. Eight dancers from different countries and four of Ireland's finest musicians join Liam Ó Maonlaí and Michael Keegan-Dolan in creating an unprecedented cultural hybrid. The performance is based on 108 natural movements improvised to music and named by the dancers, including Beef Stew, Thank God for Yoga, Air Drumming and Feed the Snake.

It's dance that aims to bypass the choreographic intellect, to get into the deep physical tissue of the music. There is [...] serious craft in this, and Keegan's dancers are exceptional and a pleasure to watch. /The Guardian

Musicians and dancers get together, with a joyful sense of community [...] It's an evening of buoyant rhythms and happy atmosphere; it really does feel like a party on stage.The Independent

Everyone in this entertaining piece where the musicians dance and the dancers play percussion and even the audience sings, (in Gaelic!), enjoys themselves. /Culturekiosque.com

Michael Keegan-Dolan is the company's founder and choreographer since its inception in 1997. He is known for his dynamic innovation in the genre of dance theatre. In Rian he collaborates with one of Ireland's most successful folk-rock musicians. Liam Ó Maonlaí from the band Hothouse Flowers. The performance is inspired by Ó Maonlaí's solo album Rian, which means 'mark' or 'trace' in Gaelic. The performance is a poignant and uplifting celebration of Irishness with a desire to keep tradition alive while looking to the future. The dance is performed to live music, mixing Celtic sounds with world music. The dancers and musicians throw themselves into a whirlwind of expression that is infectious with its explosive energy. Rian was awarded the Bessie prize at the New York Dance and Performance Awards 2013.

Watch clips from previous Fabulous Beast performances

The Rite of Spring & Petrushka

Giselle

Watch clips with Liam Ó Maonlaí