about
About
In Body is a triple bill that was originally commissioned and produced by Sadler’s Wells comprising of three strikingly dynamic flamenco dance pieces that give a fresh perspective on the elements that make up flamenco, incorporating live music, sound design and spoken word. Traditional solo dances are turned inside out, remoulded and transformed into trios, exposing each choreographer’s personality through three vibrantly contrasting flamenco styles.
Creative Team
Artistic Directors: Magdalena Mannion & Noemí Luz
Choreography of When Viola Met Vargas: Magdalena Mannion
Choreography of I come to my body as a question:
Yinka Esi Graves
Choreography of Into Being: Noemí Luz
Dancers: Magdalena Mannion, Noemí Luz & Yinka Esi Graves / Yasaray Rodriguez & Salud Perez Alcantara
Musical Direction & Original Composition: Liam Howarth
Original Song Composition: Emilio Florido
Singer: José Tremendo Hijo
Original Composition for Cello: Colin Alexander
Poetry and Spoken Word for I come to my body as a question: Toni Stuart
Spoken Word (Second Cast): Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa
Original sound design for Into Being: José Tomé
Costuming: López de Santos, Fábrica Flamenca & Sonia Cortés
Lighting Design: Maria Viñuela & Antony Hately (I come to my body as a question)
UK Programming: Sarah Trist Dance Management Agency
tour History
2019
Dancenet Sweden / Studio Acusticum, Pitea
Dancenet Sweden / Kulturens Hus, Lulea
Dancenet Sweden / Halmstads teater, Halmstad
Dancenet Sweden / Västerås Konserthus
2020
Minerva Studio, Chichester Festival Theatre
Wiltshire Music Centre
About Each Piece
When Viola met Vargas
Choreography by Magdalena Mannion / Cello and Original Composition by Colin Alexander
This piece is an exploration of shared pulse & emotional dynamics and is inspired by movement qualities found in Bill Viola’s video art and Manuela Vargas’ iconic solo Peteneras. Constructed as a slowly moving image that the audience is invited into, it questions the immediacy in the way in which flamenco is usually performed, creating a striking visual image that evokes a dreamlike state. The piece premiered at the Sadler's Wells Takeover of the National Theatre River Stage 2018.
Into Being
Choreography by Noemí Luz / Sound Design by José Tomé
In investigating the Tarantos style, Noemí was struck by the electric power of this flamenco song, and its ritualistic nature. The movement grows out of the song as a seed from the earth, as a simple vibration, as a living ancestral memory both delicate and energetic. Into Being draws from Tarantos’ varied and nuanced rhythms to create a new aesthetic both visually and aurally. The piece was premiered at the Sadler's Wells Takeover of the National Theatre River Stage 2018.
I Come to my Body as a Question
Choreography by Yinka Esi Graves / Spoken Word by Toni Stuart
This piece is a direct reaction, deconstruction and retelling of the sentiments expressed in Guajira. The traditional Guajira provoked a sense of alienation in Yinka and she was inspired by the appropriation of its elements, such as the use of the fan, its lyrics, and the over sensualized perception of feminine gestures. This piece is as much about the Guajira as it is about the experience of dancing it. I come to my body as a question was premiered at Sampled 2017 at Sadler's Wells and The Lowry.
Press
Sadler's Wells Sampled (2017)
Fjord Review
"With its powerful footwork and vibrant music, Dotdotdot’s “I come to my body as a question” was another highlight."
Sadler's Wells Sampled (2017)
Exeunt
"...Also extremely impressive was dotdotdot dance’s I Come To My Body As A Question. Comprising three young female flamenco dancers, the company deconstruct and honour the traditions of their form. This piece offers a feminist re-imagining of the (historically rather misogynist) Cuban ‘Guajira’ style, pitting the insistent voice of flamenco singer Javier Rivera against the lilting rhythms of spoken word artist Toni Stuart. The dancers occupy a defiant middle ground – there’s a startling wit to the simultaneous snap of their fans and mesmeric articulacy in the solos, with fearsomely complex footwork matched by the proud and questioning swoop of the upper body..."
Interview, Dance Direct (2017)
Dance Direct
"...How will you be part of this year’s Sampled at Sadler’s Wells?
We will be presenting a re-worked version of ‘I come to my Body as a Question’, one of the pieces we created for our Wild Card evening at the Lilian Baylis in May 2016. We can’t wait to work with Toni Stuart again who is the spoken word artist involved in this project..."
Londontheatre1 (2016)
Terry Eastham
"Magdalena, Yinka and Noemí really took the dance to a new level for me. They were so elegant and powerful, from their first number, where their movements were initially so gentle, it was difficult to notice the change in position, right up to the fantastically orchestrated final dance with the long dress and shoes – you really need to see it to appreciate it – the ladies were the epitome of Flamenco.
Overall, then despite my initial misgivings, dotdotdot dance proved to be a fantastic evening where the traditional mixed with the modern and a wonderful and talented team put together a really magical show."
Londondance (2016)
Josephine Leask
"Dotdotdot’s interrogations are intelligent, refreshing and compelling to watch. When the group perform altogether and build towards a climax of stamping, clapping music and song, the dancers thrill through their obvious love and understanding of this form."
The Upcoming (2016)
Laura Ewing
"The show was thoroughly entertaining, illuminating and pioneering, effectively expressing the pure talent and dynamism of the company’s three founders, all of whom split their time between the UK and Spain. Although this particular performance is only in town for two nights, it is certain that dotdotdot dance will have many more enlightening projects in the pipeline. Keep an eye out for where they will appear next with another inventive and intense take on flamenco."
In Body Supporters
Supported by The Movement Fund & Arts Council England
Crowdfunding Campaign: Tigga Goulding, Conchita Oquendo, Oliver Giffin, Zuzana Mihalcinova Guerrero, Vivien Hunt, Alison Henderson, Vaida Varzukaite, Z2a.post, Elizabeth N Johnson, Patrick Ingram, Rachel Levene, Simona Bano, El Viajero Sedentario, Timmaz Zolleyn, l.zychowicz, Anna Levene, Blandine Lamaison, Robbie Carnegie, Paul Herrmann, Fiona Hunt. Taylor, María Piñero Maese, Maria Angeles Bueno Castellano, Miho Charles, Elizabeth Ann Thom, Irfan Ahmed, Kinga Otffinowska, Nathalie Cabrier, Jesus Munoz,, Gina Roccque Drayton, Zoe Marsh, Luli Segal, Sara Caba, Sarah Coleman, Lucy Bradshaw, Guilhem Tarroux, Sarah Perry, Guy, Ange Wieberdink, Flamenco Fredag, Tenley Martin, Coradir, Jade Reggiani, Aurora Pignata, Nanako Aramaki, Anne Clark, Afsaneh Gray, Graham Meakin, Deborah Barringer, Maria P, Lorena Oliva, Pablo Egea, Julio Lopez, Carol B , Daniel, Carina, Joel O'Donoghue, Carole Edrich, Olivia Southey, Heidi & Tanya Costa.
Video Footage: Mateo Cabeza
Video Editing & Graphic Design: @La.Sinetiquetas
Residencies: Sadler's Wells, DEDA Dance, Battersea Spanish,
London Bubble, Centro Cívico de Bellavista &
Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Antonio Ruiz Soler