A daring collision of music and dance by Hofesh Shechter Company exclusively for HOME, Manchester’s new centre for international contemporary art, theatre and film.
This April, HOME, Manchester’s new centre for international contemporary visual art, theatre and film, will present an extraordinary opportunity to see new work by acclaimed choreographer Hofesh Shechter, alongside his earliest duet, ahead of the venue’s official opening on Thu 21 May.
Curated by Shechter himself, Hofesh Shechter and Friends will form the inaugural performance at HOME. It takes a first look at Hofesh Shechter Company’s newest work, The Bad (working title), part two of a trilogy of performances that showcased its first part the barbarians in love at Festspielhaus St. Pölten in November 2014 and recently at Sadler’s Wells, London.
Uncompromising The Bad (working title) features an ensemble of five exceptional dancers – Maëva Berthelot, Sam Coren, Phil Hulford, Kim Kohlmann, and Erion Kruja – accompanied by Shechter’s trademark electronic scores, interwoven with dark, dubstep beats. The run will also include Shechter’s rarely performed debut work, Fragments, an influential piece that catapulted Shechter to the fore of the dance world. Using delicate and intense movement to represent the dynamic between a couple, and set to a cinematic soundtrack again by Shechter, this piece is a powerful yet humorous portrayal of a relationship.
The celebrations will continue with musician and songwriter Joel Harries who has regularly played live with the Company around the world, performing a live gig as part of three-piece instrumental group 72% Morrissey, and a first-night-only post-show DJ set from talented Hofesh Shechter Company dancer Maëva Berthelot closing out the night.
HOME’s Artistic Director: Theatre, Walter Meierjohann said ‘We’re incredibly excited to have Hofesh Shechter – an exhilarating and undisputed world-class choreographer – working in our building and on our stage, to present an immersive world premiere to our audiences. This production certainly raises the bar of dance performance in Manchester and beyond. I’ve been a huge admirer of Shechter’s work for many years, and he has inspired the way in which I view work today.’
Hofesh Shechter added: ‘It’s very exciting that Manchester is gaining a new venue, and it’s brilliant to be part of the line-up for the opening programme of the new building. As an artist, it is an incredible luxury to work with a venue that’s so positive about not only your work, but also how you want to present it. We’ll make sure that we give the audience a really special night. It’s a one-off for us and we’re really looking forward to it.’
Curated by Shechter himself, Hofesh Shechter & Friends will incorporate:
A world premiere and the second part of a yet unfinished trilogy choreographed by Shechter. This piece (known as the bad) features dancers from his world-famous ensemble, accompanied by a dark and funky score featuring dub-step grooves alongside his trademark percussive electronics.
Fragments, Shechter’s earliest work, performed by two of the newest faces of the Hofesh Shechter apprentice company
A live gig with Hofesh Shechter musician Joel Harries, taking the stage as part of three piece instrumental noise rock group 72% Morrissey
The first night, Thu 30 April, will conclude with a post-show DJ set from Hofesh Shechter dancer Maëva Berthelot.
Title: Hofesh Shechter & Friends
Venue: HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, Manchester M15 4FN
Dates: Thursday 30 April – Saturday 2 May 2015
Time: 19.30
Price: full price £12 – £18, concessions available
