By Isabel Scott
In today’s culture we often see film, theatre and radio inspired by literature. Why not dance too? From Shakespeare to 1980s dystopia, and even more current work like lockdown poetry, literature has and continues to act as great inspiration for dance companies. Below are five examples of contemporary dance inspired by literature.
Lila York – The Handmaid’s Tale
Launching our survey of dance inspired by literature: 11 years on from it’s 2014 premiere for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Lila York’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is perhaps more pertinent than ever following the installation of the second Trump administration. York uses a combination of soft, flowing movements juxtaposing harsher, dissonant moves, to bring Atwood’s speculative fiction to life on stage. The use of the traditional handmaid outfits and guards in militia uniform add to a sense of discomfort, reflecting the horrors of the story which are becoming more and more realistic mirrors of reality.
- Read: Review of Phaedra Minotaur | a rare collaboration between the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera
The tempest – Die Wolke art group
A contemporary dance adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest premiered in 2021. The Die Wolke art group are a non-profit Greek art collective concerned with contemporary performing arts, mixed media and associated technologies. Unlike many traditional ballet adaptations of Shakespeare plays, Die Wolke group used creative setting, lighting and futuristic costumes to create a modern take on The Tempest, whilst retaining its origins as a tragicomedy. The adaptation does not take itself too seriously, playing with contemporary dance and digital projections in an exciting way.
- Read: Review of Exit Above – after the tempest | a dance piece inspired by pop music and Shakespeare
The Man of the Crowd – VanDance
Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s The Man of the Crowd, VanDance company in the United States created The Man of the Crowd adaptation to form part of Swans and Ravens, a programme of dances inspired by romantic writers like Poe, Robert Weir and Daniel Auber. The intention was to explore these writers whilst encouraging audiences to also consider their own individual experiences whilst watching the performance. Contemporary dance is used to explore the movement of the Man of the Crowd, through the city, whilst situated on stage.
Giovanni’s room – Phoenix Dance Theatre, Marcus Jarrell
A new contemporary dance adaptation of James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room is set to premiere in Leeds this March, choreographed by Marcus Jarrell Willis. Whilst this is not the first time Giovanni’s room has been adapted for dance, with Iyun Ashani Harrison adapting the novel for ballet in the States last year, this edition is intended to pay homage to Baldwin’s 100th birthday. Willis talks of the importance of sticking to the book and using movement that encompasses the love, sexuality and guilt Baldwin discusses in his novel. The adaptation is due to tour the UK in March, May and June and it is certainly one to look out for.
NDC Wales – online collaboration with literature Wales
Rounding off our exploration of dance inspired by literature: during lockdown in June 2020, National Dance Company Wales announced a collaboration with Literature Wales, in a response to the shutdown of performing arts spaces due to the pandemic. The project Plethu/Weave partnered dancers from NDC Wales with commissioned poets from Literature Wales to collaborate on a 90-second-long dance piece, based on short poems written by the poets. Shared online fortnightly, the project creatively bought art and dance into the homes of many during a particularly difficult time for the arts. In creating work designed to be viewed exclusively on screen, the project also prompted new aspects of consideration for the dancers such as lighting, clothing and choreography that ordinarily would be in the hands of choreographers and directors.