Raw
“Thankfully, Irish Company Fidget Feet shuns empty virtuosity for the richer expression derived from contemporary dance. Its latest work, RAW, seamlessly integrates aerial and floor-bound movement into a deeply energetic portrayal of clubbing.” – The Irish Times
Breathtaking circus and gravity-defying aerial dance work, both fragile and fierce, using risqué pole-dancing in a theatrical experience. RAW is an electrifying and dreamlike evocation of hedonistic nightlife. The DJ slips into a shamanic mode that infects the clubbers and as the night enfolds the story explores the balance between strength and vulnerability, violence and harmony, laughter and tears.
Raw explores themes of identity: fear and power and asks questions of our attitude to clubland: are we in a fun loving club or a social prison? Do we go out to transcend our ordinary lives and forget the rules? Or to follow our peers and be part of the gang?
Directed by Fringe First winner David Bolger, Artistic Director of multi-award winning CoisCeim Dance Theatre, Raw premiered to great acclaim at Clonmel Junction Festival, Ireland July 2008.
Sell out show of RAW at the Edinburgh Fringe 2009
The Skinny ****
“In terms of technique and expressiveness, RAW excels…It is spectacular, fast, daring and dangerous. The four aerialists have exquisite skill…”
Gareth K Vile
Funded by Cultural Ireland and Donegal County Council, programmed by Dance Base, produced by Richard Wakely and performed at Dance Base @ Out of The Blue Drill Hall , 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh from Fri 14th – Thurs 27th August.
Raw also received a nomination for Total Theatre Award.
Production
Raw was directed by the award winning David Bolger from the famous Cóis Ceim Dance Theatre, Raw was commissioned by Clonmel Junction Festival and premiered to great acclaim at the Festival in Ireland July 2008. RAW was produced in Chadwicks Theatre in Clonmel for two months prior to premiere. http://www.junctionfestival.com/
The Firkin Crane in Cork, Ireland, has sponsored and supported the development of Raw in 2007-09. The Choreographers Initiative supported two weeks of work at Dance House in December 2007. In March 2008, Dance Base in Edinburgh, Scotland, gave Fidget Feet a one week residency.
In 2009, RAW is programmed by Dance Base as part of The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and produced by Richard Wakely.
Anyone interested in the show, either in Ireland or abroad after the Edinburgh Festival please contact Richard Wakely at rwakely@eircom.net.
Fidget Feet were proud to premiere RAW in July 2008 at Clonmel Junction Festival, Ireland. Without their support the piece would not have been made. RAW was produced in Clonmel for two months.
“RAW more than lived up to our expectations as it underlined Fidget Feet’s position as the best company in Ireland in aerial performance.”
Donal Shiels, Chief Executive of St Patricks Festival, Ireland
“The piece captured the attention of the audience from the start and offered an exciting fusion of circus and movement. The company is considered by the Irish Arts Council to be the leading contemporary circus company in this country.”
Verena Cornwall, Adviser – The Irish Arts Council
Credits
- Director – David Bolger from Cois Ceim Dance
- Divising Director – Gavin Marshal
- Aerial Choreographer – Chantal McCormick
- Music – Jym Daly
- Performers – Jennifer Paterson, Lee Clayden, Steve Ryan, Jym Daly and Chantal McCormick
- Aerial design – Fidget Feet with Will Cleary from Circus Space.
- Costumes – Paul Shriek
- Lighting design – Jeannie Davies
- Head Rigger – Jonothan Campbel
- Performance rigger – Nikki Jeffries
- Aerial Harnesses – Jonothan Graham
