Passing strange and wonderful is an intense physical conversation for two, framed by a rectangle of fluttering light. Evoking a sense of something partially remembered, the piece explores the insatiable and unattainable desire to break through the shell of another.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR &
CHOREOGRAPHER: BEN WRIGHT
PERFORMERS: Keir Patrick and Lise Manavit
PERFORMERS (Sat 10 April Cardiff performance):
DELPHINE GABORIT, ROBERT CLARK
LIGHTING DESIGN: GUY HOARE
COSTUMES: THEO CLINKARD
Thanks to Roberto Casarotta of Operaestate Festival Bassano, Swindon Dance, Bath ICIA and GDA who helped in the original creation of this work in 2007.
Tour Dates
| 04 MARCH | LONDON, ROH2 |
| 14 MARCH | CAMBRIDGE, THE JUNCTION |
| 10 APRIL | CARDIFF, DANCE HOUSE |
| 22 APRIL | BRIDLINGTON SPA, THE SPA |
| 23 APRIL | MANCHESTER, THE GREEN ROOM |
| 05 MAY | NEWBURY, CORN EXCHANGE |
| 06 MAY | LUTON, THE HAT FACTORY |
| 12/13 MAY | NORWICH, THE GARAGE |
Biography
Ben Wright has been practicing as an internationally recognised dance artist for the last eighteen years. As well as his extensive performance experience and his own choreographic work, the full spectrum of his practice spans movement direction in Opera and Theatre; work as a stage director and also as a short filmmaker.
As well as his teaching practice within the professional dance scene, Ben frequently works as an educator within the university and vocational sectors, with Youth and Community Dance, and leads movement workshops for professional actors and singers.
In 2004 Ben won a prestigious NESTA Fellowship to explore relationships between choreography, directing and film. In 2002 he won a Jerwood Choreographic award as well as The Bonnie Bird Choreographic Prize.
Biography of Piece
“Originally created in 2007 for bgroup’s launch programme: The Diminishing Present for founding company performers Robert Clarke and Delphine Gaborit, Passing strange and wonderful is an intense physical conversation for two characters framed by a rectangle of fluttering light. Evoking a sense of something partially remembered, the piece, for me, is ultimately about an insatiable and unattainable wish to climb into or to break the shell of another.” Ben Wright
Press Quotes
“Wright’s ‘passing strange and wonderful’ turned us into voyeurs witnessing a sweaty, nuanced relationship ambiguously constructed out of tender intimacy and argumentative tension.”
Dance Europe
“Performed in silence, this riveting, pared-down yet carefully detailed duet….achieves an almost perfect balance between the universal and the particular. Simply stated, Wright’s dance hits home.”
Critic for The Times: Donald Hutera
Online Media
www.bgroup.org.uk
Passing strange and wonderful excerpt on YouTube
