Dancing their way from Korea to Ireland
Members of Dance Theatre of Ireland and Now Dance Company Korea, who are currently touring on the Korean peninsula, are on their way to Ireland - in November - with their unique multi-cultural collaboration to mark 25 years of Irish-Korean diplomatic relations
Monday September 22 2008
A unique collaboration between a group of Irish and Korean dancers has gone on tour to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Performers, musicians and choreographers have joined forces for the first time to mix the cultures and traditions of both nations through the medium of art.
The members of Dance Theatre of Ireland and Now Dance Company Korea premiered their production in South Korea last night.
Over the coming weeks, the contemporary dance show, called 'Parallel Horizons/Under the Roof', will tour South Korea before being brought to Ireland in November.
The double-bill of new work was choreographed by In-Young Sohn from South Korea and Dance Ireland's Loretta Yurick and Robert Connor.
Mr Connor said every aspect of dance and music had been completely combined.
"They are new creations with original contemporary music pieces," he said.
"We have uilleann pipes, Irish flutes and the cello as well as using traditional Korean instruments.
"It has been a very interesting learning process for all involved. Everybody has learnt something new and had something to share with others.
"This has been the first ever collaboration of its kind between Korea and Ireland so it was a real exchange of style and culture," Mr Conor added.
The Korean troupe trained in Ireland earlier this summer before the Irish dancers travelled to Asia last month. They return to Ireland on November 12, for a show in the Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire.
It will then move on to Galway, Clare, Cork, Castleblaney, Bray and Wexford.
- Sarah stack
