Generation Next

Work:: Generation Next (S1776283814)

performance maker and writer Tonny A. (Hackney Empire, Baron's Court Theatre) challenges the notion of dance theatre with his new experimental show. Generation Next marries contemporary dance, modern poetry and multimedia to recapture the insurgent and buoyant spirit of 1968. “As the nostalgic focus on 1968 carried on through this year, a strong feeling of déjà-vu emerged from hearing about the controversies of the Vietnam War, the invasion of Prague and all I could think of was Milan Kundera's interpretation of History repeating itself: what happened once might never have happened at all“. Thus, the piece re-connects with some of the historical moments of that year, drawing on the principle of Eternal Return, as argued by Kundera in 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being'. Through a succession of 6 chapters, Generation Next develops into a recomposed timeline of 1968 which also reworks the visionary poetry of D.H. Lawrence while it ponders whether History still influences the evolution of our modern society and if the past can still inform our individual identity. Tonny A. has conceived this intense conceptual performance collaboratively with a new cast of actors and dancers, including: Claire Porter (winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award in 2002 for her performance and co-direction of 100), Eric Geynes (Closer, The Courtyard Theatre) Aysegul Asan Murphy (Silver Birch House, Arcola Theatre), Chris Mead (SLSM, The Basement in Brighton). The distinctive aesthetic of the show has been designed by visual artist Orly Orbach - whose artwork featured in Punch Drunk Theatre Company's recent installation 'The Masque of the Red Death' at the BAC - and Sound designer Nela Brown whose composition for Hayan Theatre's 'The Voice of Things' has thrilled Edinburgh critics in 2007.

Listing:: L909473625

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