A brand new ballet is set to take the stage at The MAC this August, in a first-of-its-kind performance for Northern Ireland.
Running at the MAC Belfast from Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th August, Six Dance Collective presents White Doves , a new ballet which tells the story behind the first march for peace.
Through new dance and music, the historic events which led to the formation of The Peace People are woven together by two White Doves in a unique take on Belfast’s past.
The production brings together both local and international talent with the work’s title Doves performed by two international ballet dancers, who are joined on stage by a Junior Company of 26 aspiring dancers from across eight counties.
Moneymore-born choreographer and dancer Ruaidhrí Maguire makes his Northern Ireland debut with the work, following performances of his choreography across Poland, Ireland, Japan and the UK.
Ruaidhrí said that over 65 young dancers came from across Ireland to audition for the production.
"I’m proud to be able to showcase the wealth of emerging local talent on stage alongside two seasoned classical dancers.
“For a long time at home, we have missed out on important evolutionary periods for dance.
"That’s why it’s important to me that the first performance of my work in Belfast is a story about home, created and performed by both local and international artists.
"There is a canon of iconic story ballets set in countries across the world. I think it’s important to give Belfast its own story through dance.”
Using his highly athletic and intricate movement style drawing on his experience as a classical dancer, Ruaidhrí is combining narrative scenes from history with abstract bird imagery to communicate the origins of The Peace People in August 1976.
“There will be no tutus in sight. For me, ballet is about storytelling without words; to show emotion through the body’s strength and individual physicality," he added.
“We are really grateful to have had the support and blessing of The Peace People during the creation of the work.”
Having been in development since 2020, White Doves includes a new score by composer Amelia Clarkson.
As the 60th Mendelssohn Scholar, the County Down composer is fast emerging as a rising voice in new music, with recent performances including those by Crash Ensemble, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, the Royal Air Force and at Opera Holland Park.
“Writing music for dance is the most rewarding part of my job. Every single moment of White Doves is shaped and molded between us, with collaboration right at the heart of the project," she said.
“The live music is integral. The unique nature of White Doves means I’m using the score to blend two completely different worlds for the audience as they experience the story on stage.”
Produced by Six Dance Collective, White Doves is created in collaboration with Belfast’s High Points Youth Ballet.
Tickets are available now from The MAC box office.
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