Courtesy Ros Kavanagh
4 STARS immediate, endearing and subtle… excellently cast… a rich and constantly morphing interaction between
movement and sound
The Irish Times
Described as “pulsating with theatrical magic,” this exceptional production combines live music performances by pioneering jazz percussionist
” data-original-title title>Conor Guilfoyle with explosive dance routines directed by visionary choreographer David Bolger. Expect live music that hits you right in the soul and dance routines so explosive they’ll leave your heart racing.
After receiving rave reviews, following its world premiere in January 2023, this dynamic and high-energy Jazz-era show is set to enchant audiences throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Speaking at the tour’s launch, director David Bolger remarked:
“With this show we want to really push the boundaries of how audiences experience these two artforms. It’s a witty, uplifting, fifty-minutes of escapism that will “chase away the winter blues” and celebrate the connections between music and movement as well as our relationship to life and the cosmos! Audience members will embark on a journey, ranging from nuanced dance routines to explosive solo performances by some of the country’s finest dancers and all set to the rhythm of expertly crafted live drum arrangements and incredible looping sequences.”
The Piece with the Drums is the dance company’s first collaboration with legendary Jazz percussionist
” data-original-title title>Conor Guilfoyle . One of Ireland’s most accomplished musicians, Guilfoyle’s recording credits include a collaboration with the late
Larry Coryell
guitar
1943 – 2017
” data-original-title title>Larry Coryell, the celebrated American guitarist, regarded as one of the founding fathers of jazz-rock fusion in the 1960s. He has lectured in many of the leading colleges worldwide including Berklee College of Music, Boston.
According to Guilfoyle, working on the show has been a dream: “One of the genuine joys of being a drummer is seeing how the audience physically reacts to the rhythms I produce, whether it’s the joyful movement of bodies dancing or a foot tapping along. But to witness how the all star cast of professional dancers interpret, respond, sync and groove to the beats is a truly mesmerising experience. We cannot wait to take this show on the road”.
The Piece with the Drums features an ensemble cast of leading contemporary dancers, including Justine Cooper, Ivonne Kalter, Jonathan Mitchell, Alex O’Neill, and Donking Rongavilla, who each perform stunning solos throughout the show.
The forthcoming tour is part of a special programme of events in celebration of CoisCéim Dance Theatre’s 30th anniversary year. Established in January 1995, the company has played a pivotal role in fostering the expansion of contemporary dance as an artform in Ireland, receiving numerous accolades for their national and international touring shows.
The Piece with the Drums will tour Ireland with performances at The Mac, as part of Belfast International Arts Festival (18 & 19 October); The Everyman, Cork presented in collaboration With Firkin Crane (23 October); Draíocht, Blanchardstown (26 October); An Grianán, Letterkenny (7 November); Town Hall Theatre, Galway, (12 November); The Civic Theatre, Tallaght (15 & 16 November); Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire (20 November).