A Dublin Dance Festival Commission presented in partnership with the Abbey Theatre

The Misunderstanding of Myrrha


2 - 3 November 2021

Junk Ensemble

Booking Information


Venue: O’Reilly Theatre

Dates: 2 – 3 November, 7.30pm

Tickets: €22  / €18 conc.

A bold and empowering retelling of an ancient Greek myth.

Award-winning dance innovators Junk Ensemble collaborate with acclaimed visual artist Alice Maher to present the long-awaited premiere of The Misunderstanding of Myrrha, a solo dance work that reawakens and reimagines an ancient Greek tale.

Myrrha, cursed by Aphrodite to fall in love with her own father, soon falls pregnant with his child. To escape his wrath, Myrrha flees Arabia and begs the gods to take pity on her. Her prayers left unanswered by the gods, she is transformed into a myrrh tree, her tears of shame and sadness
forming the resin that seeps from the tree’s bark.

In this bold retelling of the tale, Myrrha’s plight is told through her own, once-muted voice, and cycles through the trauma of her curse, the acceptance of her fate, and the rebirth of hope. Presented through intricate choreography, text, music and stunning visual design, Myrrha’s existence becomes a thing of beauty as she spits out her fate and declares herself a new being; beyond woman, man or tree.

Commissioned by Dublin Dance Festival and supported by Mermaid Arts Centre, Dance Ireland, Project Arts Centre and Shawbrook Dance. Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland | An Chomhairle Ealaíon Arts Grant Fund and Dublin City Council.

Credits

  • Creation: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, Alice Maher
  • Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy. Choreography created in collaboration with the performer.
  • Performer: Julie Koenig
  • Scenography and Costume Design: Alice Maher
  • Lighting Design: Stephen Dodd
  • Composition: Denis Clohessy
  • Headpiece: Artfx Ltd
  • Costume: Sarah Foley
  • Producer: Gwen Van Spÿk
  • Assistant Producer: Michelle Cahill
  • Stage Manager: Fiona Keller
  • Production Photography: Luca Truffarelli
  • Publicity Images: Fionn McCann

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Abbey Theatre
26/27 Lower Abbey Street
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Ireland
D01 K0F1