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Limerick dancers to stage John’s Query this Winter

Limerick dancers to stage John’s Query this Winter

By ilovelimerick correspondent Frances Watkins

John’s Query is a staged work and a video series for three dancers set in Limerick’s St. John’s Square, exploring 1) our changing notion of the public square as both a location and a network, 2) mistranslations, and 3) the pursuit of shared perspective.

The three dancers (Angie Smalis IRE/GR, Mark Carberry IRE/UK, Colin Gee NYC) perform personae based on historical figures, all of whom inhabited St. John’s Square between 1700 and 1950. This anachronistic framing of communal life seeks a new understanding of what public life means in the context of twenty-first century connectivity and interdependence. As the lives of the characters intertwine in a farcical narrative involving expectation, faith, betrayal, and misunderstanding, the question is posed: Will people always betray others for the sake of their own interests?


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Ultimately, ‘’John’s Query’’ is about pursuit of (and sympathy for) the perspective from which the other can be understood, through humour, grace, longing, and melancholy. This dance piece proposes a path for a return to narrative in dance and character-based work, and addresses a distinct disciplinary opportunity to engage with a new kind of storytelling within dance.

The artistic team involved in the project includes: Martin Shannon, Limerick based printmaker and visual artist designs and constructs a set that suggests the interiors and exteriors of the public square.  Giordana Giache, knitwear and textile fashion designer and lecturer in Fashion and Textile Design at the Limerick School of Art & Design, consults on the costume design. Robin Parmar, Limerick based Canadian multidisciplinary artist, takes up the role of creative consultant, advising on the project’s dramaturgy.

The production team includes: Production Manager/sound operator: Kerrie Ahern, Lighting Design: Gearoid O’hAllmhuráin, Graphic Design: Alina O’Shaughnessy, Communications Manager: Emer Casey, Videography: Dominik Kosicki, Photography: Angie Pappas Constable, Digital Design:  Patrick Kelley, Dance administrator: Andrea Stapleton

John’s Query will be taking place on the following dates:

D25 November 2017, 7.30pm Firkin Crane

1 December 2017, 8 pm Dance Limerick

6 March 2018,7.45pm Project Arts Centre

The projected is funded by The Arts Council, Limerick City and Co. Arts Office and supported by Dance Limerick, Limerick City and Co. Council, Firkin Crane, Project Arts Centre, and Limerick City Gallery of Art.

For more on John’s Query click here

For more stories on Dance Limerick click here

 

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.