TAPEIRE – DRIVEN BY RHYTHM
Created, produced and directed by James Devine.

ACT 2

The second half opens with 1980s compettitions (feis) weaving images into an exquisite tapestry of dance docu-drama, before being transported to the theatre and world stage and finally a "freestyle" ending during which the artists see where their hands and feet take them.

Scene 4 - Feis

In 1929, the Irish Dancing Commission was founded to establish rules and regulations regarding Irish dance teaching, competitions (feiseanna), costumes, and music. To this day Irish dancers have grown up with these strict rules of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (Irish Dancing Commission). Dances must be performed at strict metronome speeds and there are rules that encompass every minute detail from "artificial carriage aids" wearing of make up, fake hair and fake tans.

Scene 5 - Transition to Theatre

A vast open stage, with male dancer poised in the spotlight brings about the transition to theatre. Having thrown away the rule book, this is his opportunity to harness the energy that's drawn from an audience and transform it into an explosive display of speed, precision, and creativity inspired by other cultures and rhythms.

Scene 6 - Experimentation

Each performer extends the format, expands the vocabulary, and pushes the envelope.