Preview Snake In The Geisha Palm

Snake in the Geisha Palm

Snake in the Geisha Palm,Gelede’s 5th production,is a remarkable story of two Geishas.The elegance of the Japanese courtesan combines with the explosive energy of martial arts to create a whirlwind of high-energy dance.
choreographed by Menelva Harry, Snake in the Geisha Palm’s striking visual world and vibrant costumes are inspired by Japanese and Eastern imagery, the original music score by Alonso Mendoza features traditional Japanese rhythms in a modern context.

Choreography: Menelva Harry
Dancers: ,Suzanna Barnes, Noemi Viana Garcia, Adrienne Hart

Ayano Honda, Nicola Moses

Composer: Alonso Mendoza
Set design: Aurelian Koch
Costume: Deborah Thomas
Lighting Design-company technician: Nomi Everall
Visuals: Adrienne Hart and Alice Powell
 

PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS

Trilogy (Changing Water, Mist, Sky Burial)

“It starts with a very striking image... from then on the dancing, with its mixture of several styles, is mysterious and compelling”... David Bellan, The Oxford Times, 2005

“A brilliant night- I was absolutely invited for the whole performance. Memorably beautiful and captivating”- Audience member at Croydon Clock Tower 2005

“What a wonderfully exciting performance- innovative powerful, superb interaction- lighting and shadows so effective, good luck to all of you” - Audience member at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Changing Waters – 2004
Part of the Trilogy touring programme, co-commissioned by Swindon Dance Taking Risks 2004, and Pegasus Theatre.  In Changing Waters, the cool, intellectual spirituality of eastern martial arts are juxtaposed with the warm, passionate, emotional dance styles of the Mediterranean and Latin America. The result is a performance of visual, sensual and physical intensity. Also funded by Arts Council England.

Mist – 2003
Part of the Trilogy touring programme, a commission funded by the Oxford City Council and RALP. Mist is a collaborative cross-arts project made with digital filmmaker Martin Wilkinson. Gelede’s focus was to research and capture Bagua’s (Martial Arts) fluid and rhythmical quality, emphasising on movement from the spine, exploring a variety of viewpoints, imagery dimension and speed. Screening at Oxford Film and Video Makers, Brookes University, the Zodiac Oxford, Bath University, Pegasus Theatre, Oxford.
“In Mist, she draws us in with an intense choreography… uses martial arts technique to create a powerful and clever journey through movements that brings out Moses' extraordinary talent”  By Jenny Enarsson, BBC 1 Oxford Stage

Sky Burial – 2002-03
Part of the Trilogy touring programme. Sky Burial is collaboration with Brighton based choir band Soundark, performed live. Funded by SSEA, Research and Development Fund and the National Lottery’s Awards For All Fund, followed by a commission from the Pegasus Theatre, Oxford and the International Women’s Festival. Besides the Trilogy Tour, also performed at the Place: Robin Howard Theatre, London, Swindon Dance, The Pegasus Theatre and Freud’s Café Oxford.
“The tight pack of females, silhouetted at first, execute complex canons with crossing paths creating sharp images of feminine strength. This and the acute sense of long and angular shapes gives the work its unique smokey flavour”. Jeni Rosier, Resolution Reviewer

Metamorphosis – 2001-02
Supported by Swindon Dance Lab and Pegasus Theatre. Created for ‘The Mission’ the black choreographers’ platform, Metamorphosis is a study of Bagua - Xing Yi focusing on its fluid movement from the spine, and how it can influence a new dance vocabulary. Performed at the Resolution! Festival of the Place Robin Howard Theatre in London 2002, Swindon Dance for ‘The Mission 2001’ and Re: Resolution! Pegasus Theatre Oxford in 2002 also performed in schools as part of Gelede’s educational program.
 “The distinct beauty of the movements successfully fused combative and balletic styles… In imaginatively laced costumes, their performance was fired with a vital energy that fully displayed their ability and enjoyment of the piece”: Review by Frances Bailey

In Becoming A Woman - 2000-01
Commissioned by the Pegasus Theatre Oxford and International Women’s Festival 2001, supported by The Arts Council of England. Performed at the Wandsworth Dance Festival -  Battersea Arts Centre BAC London 2000, as Gelede’s London debut performance.  A residency with Oxford Youth Dance performed alongside Gelede during the international Woman’s Festival.