A Different Wolf at Cork Opera House, Cork Midsummer Festival 2019
What is the wolf at your door?
‘Fear isn't so difficult to understand. Nothing has changed since Little Red Riding Hood faced the big bad wolf. It's just a different wolf.’ Alfred Hitchcock
A Different Wolf is a new dance opera created by multi-award winning Junk Ensemble and innovative music-theatre company Dumbworld (Belfast). The production is a poignant exploration of fear, where in a complex and uneasy world we all live with our own form of wolf. A Different Wolf blends visceral movement, text and exquisite song to create a powerful visual & sonic experience for the audience.
Personal testimonies from different communities in Cork give voice to contemporary representations of the wolf as varied as the bank man, loneliness, the world ending and a car not starting. An exceptional cast of four dancers, three singers, six musicians and a 100-strong choir perform in the production.
A Different Wolf teaser from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
When: Sunday 16 June 8pm, Monday 17 June 3pm & 8pm
Where: Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Cork as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2019
Book here
Created by: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, John Mcllduff, Brian Irvine
Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
Composition: Brian Irvine
Libretto: John Mcllduff
Set Design: Sabine Dargent
Lighting Design: Sarah Jane Shiels
Costume Design: Deirdre Dwyer
Performers include: Stephanie Dufresne, Aoife Duffin, Karl Fagerlund, Lucia Kickham, Amy Ní Fhearraigh, Stephen Moynihan
Choirs: Cork School of Music, Cór Gael
Producers: Gwen Van Spijk (Junk Ensemble), Susanna Lagan (Dumbworld)
Line Producer: Michelle Cahill
Researcher: Michele O’Connor-Connolly
Production Manager: Sean Dennehy
Chief LX: Veronica Foo
Stage Manager: Barry O'Donovan
Proudly supported by Arts Council of Ireland Arts Grant Fund. Presented in partnership with Cork Opera House and Cork Midsummer Festival and supported by Cork City Dance Artists-in-Residence Scheme at Firkin Crane and Dance Ireland. Junk Ensemble are Project Artists at Project Arts Centre, Dublin.
What is the wolf at your door?
‘Fear isn't so difficult to understand. Nothing has changed since Little Red Riding Hood faced the big bad wolf. It's just a different wolf.’ Alfred Hitchcock
A Different Wolf is a new dance opera created by multi-award winning Junk Ensemble and innovative music-theatre company Dumbworld (Belfast). The production is a poignant exploration of fear, where in a complex and uneasy world we all live with our own form of wolf. A Different Wolf blends visceral movement, text and exquisite song to create a powerful visual & sonic experience for the audience.
Personal testimonies from different communities in Cork give voice to contemporary representations of the wolf as varied as the bank man, loneliness, the world ending and a car not starting. An exceptional cast of four dancers, three singers, six musicians and a 100-strong choir perform in the production.
A Different Wolf teaser from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
When: Sunday 16 June 8pm, Monday 17 June 3pm & 8pm
Where: Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Cork as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2019
Book here
Created by: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, John Mcllduff, Brian Irvine
Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
Composition: Brian Irvine
Libretto: John Mcllduff
Set Design: Sabine Dargent
Lighting Design: Sarah Jane Shiels
Costume Design: Deirdre Dwyer
Performers include: Stephanie Dufresne, Aoife Duffin, Karl Fagerlund, Lucia Kickham, Amy Ní Fhearraigh, Stephen Moynihan
Choirs: Cork School of Music, Cór Gael
Producers: Gwen Van Spijk (Junk Ensemble), Susanna Lagan (Dumbworld)
Line Producer: Michelle Cahill
Researcher: Michele O’Connor-Connolly
Production Manager: Sean Dennehy
Chief LX: Veronica Foo
Stage Manager: Barry O'Donovan
Proudly supported by Arts Council of Ireland Arts Grant Fund. Presented in partnership with Cork Opera House and Cork Midsummer Festival and supported by Cork City Dance Artists-in-Residence Scheme at Firkin Crane and Dance Ireland. Junk Ensemble are Project Artists at Project Arts Centre, Dublin.
Soldier Still Irish Tour - November 2018
Soldier Still is currently touring to four venues throughout Ireland in November. A beautiful and harrowing evocation of the impact and of violence, realised through the collaboration between an international team of artists and former soldiers.
Tour Dates:
Nov 1 Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
Nov 6 Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Nov 13+14 The Everyman, Cork
Nov 22 Dance Limerick
Soldier Still is currently touring to four venues throughout Ireland in November. A beautiful and harrowing evocation of the impact and of violence, realised through the collaboration between an international team of artists and former soldiers.
Tour Dates:
Nov 1 Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
Nov 6 Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Nov 13+14 The Everyman, Cork
Nov 22 Dance Limerick
★★★★★
'Raw power and a palpable elegance ... Not to be missed'
The Arts Review
★★★★
'Junk Ensemble’s most visually focused work to date.' The Irish Times
★★★★
‘Dynamic and rich contemporary contemplation of the trauma of militant violence … Powerful.' The Reviews Hub
Soldier Still - Promo show from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Ancillary Events associated to Soldier Still Tour:
Post-show discussions are held after each performance on tour, individually chaired by a facilitator and attended by members of the company including the directors and Dr Tom Clonan.
Funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Touring Award. Winner of Best Design Award at Dublin Fringe Festival 2017. Soldier Still was co-produced with Mermaid Arts Centre and Project Arts Centre and supported by Dance Ireland and Dance Base Edinburgh,.
'Raw power and a palpable elegance ... Not to be missed'
The Arts Review
★★★★
'Junk Ensemble’s most visually focused work to date.' The Irish Times
★★★★
‘Dynamic and rich contemporary contemplation of the trauma of militant violence … Powerful.' The Reviews Hub
Soldier Still - Promo show from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Ancillary Events associated to Soldier Still Tour:
Library Talks with Tom Clonan
25 October, Dalkey Library 6:30 - 8pm
7 November, Galway City Library, 11:30am
14 November, Cork City Library, 1:10pm
Dance Theatre Workshops with Junk Ensemble
5 November, NUI Galway, 3 - 5pm
14 November, University College Cork, 9 - 11am
22 November, University of Limerick, 10 - 12noon
25 October, Dalkey Library 6:30 - 8pm
7 November, Galway City Library, 11:30am
14 November, Cork City Library, 1:10pm
Dance Theatre Workshops with Junk Ensemble
5 November, NUI Galway, 3 - 5pm
14 November, University College Cork, 9 - 11am
22 November, University of Limerick, 10 - 12noon
Post-show discussions are held after each performance on tour, individually chaired by a facilitator and attended by members of the company including the directors and Dr Tom Clonan.
Funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Touring Award. Winner of Best Design Award at Dublin Fringe Festival 2017. Soldier Still was co-produced with Mermaid Arts Centre and Project Arts Centre and supported by Dance Ireland and Dance Base Edinburgh,.
The Bystander - Autumn 2018
Our new work The Bystander premiered as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2018 at axis:Ballymun in addition to performances at Mermaid Arts Centre in October and Project Arts Centre on 9+10 November.
‘I didn’t want to get involved.' Anonymous Neighbour
The Bystander is an intriguing and adventurous production by multi-award winning dance theatre innovators Junk Ensemble. Taking its name from the bystander effect phenomenon of the murder of Kitty Genovese outside her apartment in New York City in 1964, whereby thirty-eight witnesses saw or heard the attack, yet none of them called for help, The Bystander brings to the surface some of the murkier and complex behaviours of contemporary society.
Performed by an internationally acclaimed cast and drawing on the expertise of a psychologist, The Bystander gets under the skin of how we behave as individuals and groups. What makes us help someone and what makes us simply stand by?
The Bystander promo from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
‘The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.’ Albert Einstein
Creation, Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
In collaboration with the cast
Set Design: Sabine Dargent
Lighting Design: Zia Bergin-Holly
Costume Design: Sarah Foley
Music & Sound Design: Denis Clohessy
Dramaturgy: Feidlim Cannon
Consultant Sociologist & Collaborator: Ciaran Smyth
Performers: Steve Blount, Stephanie Dufresne, Stephen Moynihan, Tilly Webber
Additional performance dates:
Friday 12 October Mermaid Arts Centre, County Wicklow
9 & 10 November Project Arts Centre, Dublin
Junk Ensemble are Project Artists, an initiative of Project Arts Centre.
This production is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland. Presented by axis:Ballymun in association with Dublin Theatre Festival.
Our new work The Bystander premiered as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2018 at axis:Ballymun in addition to performances at Mermaid Arts Centre in October and Project Arts Centre on 9+10 November.
‘I didn’t want to get involved.' Anonymous Neighbour
The Bystander is an intriguing and adventurous production by multi-award winning dance theatre innovators Junk Ensemble. Taking its name from the bystander effect phenomenon of the murder of Kitty Genovese outside her apartment in New York City in 1964, whereby thirty-eight witnesses saw or heard the attack, yet none of them called for help, The Bystander brings to the surface some of the murkier and complex behaviours of contemporary society.
Performed by an internationally acclaimed cast and drawing on the expertise of a psychologist, The Bystander gets under the skin of how we behave as individuals and groups. What makes us help someone and what makes us simply stand by?
The Bystander promo from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
‘The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.’ Albert Einstein
Creation, Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
In collaboration with the cast
Set Design: Sabine Dargent
Lighting Design: Zia Bergin-Holly
Costume Design: Sarah Foley
Music & Sound Design: Denis Clohessy
Dramaturgy: Feidlim Cannon
Consultant Sociologist & Collaborator: Ciaran Smyth
Performers: Steve Blount, Stephanie Dufresne, Stephen Moynihan, Tilly Webber
Additional performance dates:
Friday 12 October Mermaid Arts Centre, County Wicklow
9 & 10 November Project Arts Centre, Dublin
Junk Ensemble are Project Artists, an initiative of Project Arts Centre.
This production is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland. Presented by axis:Ballymun in association with Dublin Theatre Festival.
Call-out for Participants - Behaviour of The Body
Behaviour of the Body Workshops at Dance Ireland
Junk Ensemble invite you to work with them in a series of three workshops this summer, which will assist their research for their new work, The Bystander.
Time: 11:00 - 14:00
Venue: DanceHouse
Admission: €10 per session, or €25 to attend all three
Behaviour of the Body Workshops at Dance Ireland
Junk Ensemble invite you to work with them in a series of three workshops this summer, which will assist their research for their new work, The Bystander.
In these workshops, you will work with a psychologist and choreographers Jessica Kennedy and Megan Kennedy.
Different ‘body based phenomena’ will be explored in each session such as:
Dates: Sat 30 Jun & Sat 7 July & Sat 14 Jul 2018- Spatial design of performer and spectator
- Body/group behaviour
- Mob mentality
- Social dynamics in space
Time: 11:00 - 14:00
Venue: DanceHouse
Admission: €10 per session, or €25 to attend all three
The workshops are open to all. There is no previous dance or performance experience required. Further information:
- Telephone: +353 1 855 8800
- Email: info@danceireland.ie
Man At The Door at Cork Midsummer Festival 2018
Our new production Man At The Door (Number 54) will premiere at Cork Midsummer Festival in partnership with Firkin Crane and Cork City Council. Performed in the atmospheric Sunbeam Bingo Hall in Blackpool Cork, the idea of the doppelgänger is played out, exploring themes of care and the beautiful banality of life. What happens when your double knocks on the door? How does the story of your life play out through a bingo game?
Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
Created in collaboration with the cast
Visual and Lighting Design: Sarah Jane Shiels
Composition and Sound Design: Peter Power
Costume Design: Laura Perrem
Performers: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, Lucia Kickham, Siobhán Ní Dhuinnín, Hugh Scannell, Luca Squillacciotti
Photography: Luca Truffarelli
WHEN
Friday 15, Saturday 16, Sunday 17 June at 3pm
Friday 22, Saturday 23, Sunday 24 June at 3pm
WHERE
Sunbeam Bingo Hall, Blackpool, Cork
Funded by The Arts Council’s Cork City Dance-Artists-in-Residence Scheme at Firkin Crane. Supported by Cork City Council, Firkin Crane and Sunbeam Bingo Hall.
Book here
Our new production Man At The Door (Number 54) will premiere at Cork Midsummer Festival in partnership with Firkin Crane and Cork City Council. Performed in the atmospheric Sunbeam Bingo Hall in Blackpool Cork, the idea of the doppelgänger is played out, exploring themes of care and the beautiful banality of life. What happens when your double knocks on the door? How does the story of your life play out through a bingo game?
Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
Created in collaboration with the cast
Visual and Lighting Design: Sarah Jane Shiels
Composition and Sound Design: Peter Power
Costume Design: Laura Perrem
Performers: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, Lucia Kickham, Siobhán Ní Dhuinnín, Hugh Scannell, Luca Squillacciotti
Photography: Luca Truffarelli
WHEN
Friday 15, Saturday 16, Sunday 17 June at 3pm
Friday 22, Saturday 23, Sunday 24 June at 3pm
WHERE
Sunbeam Bingo Hall, Blackpool, Cork
Funded by The Arts Council’s Cork City Dance-Artists-in-Residence Scheme at Firkin Crane. Supported by Cork City Council, Firkin Crane and Sunbeam Bingo Hall.
Book here
Dolores at Dublin Dance Festival 2018
Dolores recently premiered at Dublin Dance Festival from 8 - 13 May 2018 at Chocolate Factory in Dublin.
Inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s visual and disturbing novel ‘Lolita’, Dolores is a powerful and uncompromising work finally told by a silenced girl. Dolores gives a voice to the neglected and traumatised child, the candy girl full of hope and the enraged woman full of fire and revenge. Performed by the acclaimed Mikel Murfi and Amanda Coogan, Irish & international dancers and musicians and exquisitely designed as an off-site piece, Dolores digs into the poetry of the novel and exposes the unsettling abuse and tragedy of a young girl through imagery, song, dance and text.
More info and booking here
DOLORES from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
created in collaboration with the cast
Scenography: Valerie Reid
Lighting: Sarah Jane Shiels
Music: Denis Clohessy
Costumes: Sarah Foley
Dramaturgy/Collaboration: Jo Timmins
Videography: Luca Truffarelli
Photography: Fionn McCann
Performers: Amanda Coogan, Danny Forde, Deirdre Griffin, Julie Koenig, Mikel Murfi, Conor Sheil
Dolores is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and commissioned by Dublin Dance Festival. Supported by Dublin City Council, Project Arts Centre, Dance Ireland, Dance City Newcastle. Junk Ensemble are Project Artists at Project Arts Centre and Cork City Dance Artists-in-Residence at Firkin Crane.
Dolores recently premiered at Dublin Dance Festival from 8 - 13 May 2018 at Chocolate Factory in Dublin.
Inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s visual and disturbing novel ‘Lolita’, Dolores is a powerful and uncompromising work finally told by a silenced girl. Dolores gives a voice to the neglected and traumatised child, the candy girl full of hope and the enraged woman full of fire and revenge. Performed by the acclaimed Mikel Murfi and Amanda Coogan, Irish & international dancers and musicians and exquisitely designed as an off-site piece, Dolores digs into the poetry of the novel and exposes the unsettling abuse and tragedy of a young girl through imagery, song, dance and text.
More info and booking here
DOLORES from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
created in collaboration with the cast
Scenography: Valerie Reid
Lighting: Sarah Jane Shiels
Music: Denis Clohessy
Costumes: Sarah Foley
Dramaturgy/Collaboration: Jo Timmins
Videography: Luca Truffarelli
Photography: Fionn McCann
Performers: Amanda Coogan, Danny Forde, Deirdre Griffin, Julie Koenig, Mikel Murfi, Conor Sheil
Dolores is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and commissioned by Dublin Dance Festival. Supported by Dublin City Council, Project Arts Centre, Dance Ireland, Dance City Newcastle. Junk Ensemble are Project Artists at Project Arts Centre and Cork City Dance Artists-in-Residence at Firkin Crane.
The Book and The Body Symposia, April 2018
Jessica Kennedy and Megan Kennedy of Junk Ensemble have curated a two-strand symposia entitled 'The Book and The Body' in National University of Ireland Galway and University College Dublin in April 2018, as part of Dublin Dance Festival, partnering with Dance Ireland and Live Collision Festival. This is surrounding a new Junk Ensemble dance-theatre production, an off-site work titled Dolores, which is inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s visual and disturbing novel ‘Lolita’, and will premiere in May 2018.
'The Book and The Body' Symposia will comprise of panel discussions, masterclasses, a viewing of an open rehearsal, roundtable discussions and international keynote speakers, and will take place at the National University of Ireland Galway: 13-14 April and University College Dublin: 20-21 April, covering themes which include: body & literature, gender & performance, sexuality and abuse, trauma & memory, how the body is represented in literature through the male perspective, and Vladimir Nabokov’s novel ‘Lolita’.
Detailed schedule and booking here
Jessica Kennedy and Megan Kennedy of Junk Ensemble have curated a two-strand symposia entitled 'The Book and The Body' in National University of Ireland Galway and University College Dublin in April 2018, as part of Dublin Dance Festival, partnering with Dance Ireland and Live Collision Festival. This is surrounding a new Junk Ensemble dance-theatre production, an off-site work titled Dolores, which is inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s visual and disturbing novel ‘Lolita’, and will premiere in May 2018.
'The Book and The Body' Symposia will comprise of panel discussions, masterclasses, a viewing of an open rehearsal, roundtable discussions and international keynote speakers, and will take place at the National University of Ireland Galway: 13-14 April and University College Dublin: 20-21 April, covering themes which include: body & literature, gender & performance, sexuality and abuse, trauma & memory, how the body is represented in literature through the male perspective, and Vladimir Nabokov’s novel ‘Lolita’.
Detailed schedule and booking here
Soldier Still at Belfast Festival 2017
Soldier Still will perform at the prestigious Belfast International Arts Festival in association with The MAC on October 17 & 18 at 7:45pm. There will be a post show discussion with Professor Jay Winter after the performance on October 17.
Book tickets here
***** The Arts Review 'Raw power and palpable elegance ... Stirring, poignant ... Not to be missed ... Exquisite.'
**** The Irish Times 'Junk Ensemble’s most visually focused work to date.'
**** The Reviews Hub 'Dynamic and rich contemporary contemplation of the trauma of militant violence.'
Soldier Still - Promo show from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Soldier Still will perform at the prestigious Belfast International Arts Festival in association with The MAC on October 17 & 18 at 7:45pm. There will be a post show discussion with Professor Jay Winter after the performance on October 17.
Book tickets here
***** The Arts Review 'Raw power and palpable elegance ... Stirring, poignant ... Not to be missed ... Exquisite.'
**** The Irish Times 'Junk Ensemble’s most visually focused work to date.'
**** The Reviews Hub 'Dynamic and rich contemporary contemplation of the trauma of militant violence.'
Soldier Still - Promo show from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Soldier Still Wins Best Design Award
We are delighted that Soldier Still has been awarded Best Design Award for Set, Lighting, Sound and Costume at the Dublin Fringe Festival Awards 2017. Congrats to our super talented designers Sabine Dargent, Sarah Jane Shiels, Denis Clohessy and Sarah Foley!
Soldier Still was nominated for Best Production, Best Ensemble and Best Design.
We are delighted that Soldier Still has been awarded Best Design Award for Set, Lighting, Sound and Costume at the Dublin Fringe Festival Awards 2017. Congrats to our super talented designers Sabine Dargent, Sarah Jane Shiels, Denis Clohessy and Sarah Foley!
Soldier Still was nominated for Best Production, Best Ensemble and Best Design.
Soldier Still at Dublin Fringe Festival 2017
Read Michael Seaver's Irish Times feature on Soldier Still
Soldier Still is about violence. A new dance theatre work that blends movement, text, music, real stories and real people, creating a harrowing tale of beauty and brutality. A cast of Irish and international dancers and former soldiers collaborate with an exceptional creative team to explore the viciousness, the vulnerability and the trauma of violence.
Dublin Fringe Festival at Project Arts Centre, September 8 - 14
Preview Sep 8 at 8:30pm, €11
Performance Sep 9 - 14 at 8:30pm
Matinee Sep 14 at 3pm
Tickets €16 / €14 conc.
Book here
Additional performances:
Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow 16 September at 8pm Book here
Belfast International Arts Festival 17 + 18 October at 7:45pm Book here
Concept, Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
in collaboration with the cast
Set Design: Sabine Dargent
Lighting Design: Sarah Jane Shiels
Composition: Denis Clohessy
Costume Design: Sarah Foley
Dramaturgy: Gary Keegan
Producer: Michelle Cahill
Performers: Dr Tom Clonan, Geir Hytten, Lucia Kickham, Julie Koenig, Fernando Balsera Pita
Soldier Still Promo from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. A co-production with Mermaid Arts Centre and Project Arts Centre. Supported by Dance Ireland and Dance Base Edinburgh. Junk Ensemble are Project Artists at Project Arts Centre.
Photography: Fionn McCann
Videography: Luca Truffarelli
Read Michael Seaver's Irish Times feature on Soldier Still
Soldier Still is about violence. A new dance theatre work that blends movement, text, music, real stories and real people, creating a harrowing tale of beauty and brutality. A cast of Irish and international dancers and former soldiers collaborate with an exceptional creative team to explore the viciousness, the vulnerability and the trauma of violence.
Dublin Fringe Festival at Project Arts Centre, September 8 - 14
Preview Sep 8 at 8:30pm, €11
Performance Sep 9 - 14 at 8:30pm
Matinee Sep 14 at 3pm
Tickets €16 / €14 conc.
Book here
Additional performances:
Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow 16 September at 8pm Book here
Belfast International Arts Festival 17 + 18 October at 7:45pm Book here
Concept, Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
in collaboration with the cast
Set Design: Sabine Dargent
Lighting Design: Sarah Jane Shiels
Composition: Denis Clohessy
Costume Design: Sarah Foley
Dramaturgy: Gary Keegan
Producer: Michelle Cahill
Performers: Dr Tom Clonan, Geir Hytten, Lucia Kickham, Julie Koenig, Fernando Balsera Pita
Soldier Still Promo from Junk Ensemble on Vimeo.
Funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. A co-production with Mermaid Arts Centre and Project Arts Centre. Supported by Dance Ireland and Dance Base Edinburgh. Junk Ensemble are Project Artists at Project Arts Centre.
Photography: Fionn McCann
Videography: Luca Truffarelli