In the Shelley Irish Dance Company's version of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," there is no white rabbit, Mad Hatter or Queen of Hearts. Instead, an Irish dancer named Alice follows a little leprechaun to meet the Dancemaster of the Pub and Banshee of Killarney.
Tina Shelley and Jo Lambert, founders of the company and choreographers of "Ireland: The Dance Experience," didn't set out to make the concert a theatrical version of "Alice in Wonderland."
"The music is really what inspired us," Lambert said. "We went off that and started building these pieces, and then realized that they were all so different in feel that we needed a story line that could tie them together. And that was where 'Alice in Wonderland' was born. ... It actually came upon us at just a genius moment. We said, 'How are we going to put this together?' and suddenly it just made sense."
Though somewhat mimicking the storytelling qualities of ballet, Lambert said that this Irish dance drama is more accessible than a typical ballet.
"It sort of mirrors a ballet ... in that it's a story told through dance. However, the ballets tend to be hard to follow because you have to read the story before you watch it. But this actually has narration that leads you through. So it's a very family-friendly show."
Though Shelley and Lambert's choreography experience is extensive, before "Ireland" neither had attempted to create what Lambert called a "dance drama."
By tying the dances together to construct a story, Lambert said they created a concert that is fast-paced and filled to the brim with dance. "There's just dancing, dancing, dancing. It's a constant show of dancing. The dancers have hardly any breaks between their numbers. So it is a really high-powered, fast-moving show. It goes from one number to the next, and it's exciting."
The dancers, ranging in age from 8 to 25, have been rehearsing the concert since August. And since Irish dance is generally focused on competition more than performance, "Ireland" gives these dancers an opportunity to perform for the audience rather than for the judges.
"The most rewarding part for me is to see the confidence in the dancers as they experience this new experience of performing for a run of 10 shows," Lambert said. "I've seen dancers grow from teenagers who aren't sure of themselves to self-confident, self-assured young adults."
Alice will be played by 11-year-old Adrianna Hall. "We wanted an Alice that was mature enough to be directed in a play of this sort, and also who just exuded this innocent and knock-kneed, 9-year-old girl innocence, and she just fulfilled that for us," Lambert said. "We love her smile and the natural way she exudes on stage. ... She's doing a great job."
The music for "Ireland" will be performed by local pipe bands and fiddlers. There will even be a live bodhran, or traditional Irish drum.
The event will last just under two hours with one intermission. Patrons are encouraged to bring families; Lambert said that even her 3-year-old will sit through the show.
Tina Shelley and Jo Lambert, founders of the company and choreographers of "Ireland: The Dance Experience," didn't set out to make the concert a theatrical version of "Alice in Wonderland."
"The music is really what inspired us," Lambert said. "We went off that and started building these pieces, and then realized that they were all so different in feel that we needed a story line that could tie them together. And that was where 'Alice in Wonderland' was born. ... It actually came upon us at just a genius moment. We said, 'How are we going to put this together?' and suddenly it just made sense."
Though somewhat mimicking the storytelling qualities of ballet, Lambert said that this Irish dance drama is more accessible than a typical ballet.
"It sort of mirrors a ballet ... in that it's a story told through dance. However, the ballets tend to be hard to follow because you have to read the story before you watch it. But this actually has narration that leads you through. So it's a very family-friendly show."
Though Shelley and Lambert's choreography experience is extensive, before "Ireland" neither had attempted to create what Lambert called a "dance drama."
By tying the dances together to construct a story, Lambert said they created a concert that is fast-paced and filled to the brim with dance. "There's just dancing, dancing, dancing. It's a constant show of dancing. The dancers have hardly any breaks between their numbers. So it is a really high-powered, fast-moving show. It goes from one number to the next, and it's exciting."
The dancers, ranging in age from 8 to 25, have been rehearsing the concert since August. And since Irish dance is generally focused on competition more than performance, "Ireland" gives these dancers an opportunity to perform for the audience rather than for the judges.
"The most rewarding part for me is to see the confidence in the dancers as they experience this new experience of performing for a run of 10 shows," Lambert said. "I've seen dancers grow from teenagers who aren't sure of themselves to self-confident, self-assured young adults."
Alice will be played by 11-year-old Adrianna Hall. "We wanted an Alice that was mature enough to be directed in a play of this sort, and also who just exuded this innocent and knock-kneed, 9-year-old girl innocence, and she just fulfilled that for us," Lambert said. "We love her smile and the natural way she exudes on stage. ... She's doing a great job."
The music for "Ireland" will be performed by local pipe bands and fiddlers. There will even be a live bodhran, or traditional Irish drum.
The event will last just under two hours with one intermission. Patrons are encouraged to bring families; Lambert said that even her 3-year-old will sit through the show.
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