Mtyland: Mighty Land or Empty Land?

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July 22, 2008
Mtyland: Mighty Land or Empty Land?

If you had an empty space to do with whatever you pleased, what on earth would that be?

Footnote Dance, New Zealand's national contemporary dance company, is pleased to announce the homecoming of one of New Zealand's most outstanding choreographers Claire O'Neil, presenting a new work Mtyland for the 2008 Footnote Forte Season.

Forte is an initiative by Footnote Dance to present work by an outstanding choreographer. Claire O'Neil returns home to New Zealand after a decade of dance performance and choreography with some of Europe's finest dance institutions.

O'Neil's Mtyland explores the notion that in "nothingness there is everything" – if you had an empty space, what would you do with it?

In the title is additional meaning, as O'Neil is returning home to raise her newborn first child, Georgie Rose. Is the country she returns to, the country of her birth and the country to raise her child, a mighty land? An empty land? Or is it whatever we decide it to be?

In a year in which New Zealand heads to the polls to cast judgement on its recent past and decide on its future, O'Neil questions how we have filled our country over time, politically, socially and artistically, and when will we tip the balance and empty out again.

Mtyland takes a look at the individual’s responsibility for our actions, how we imprint ourselves in the empty space, and how we can fill ourselves to an overload.

Footnote Dance director Deirdre Tarrant says she is thrilled to welcome O'Neil back to New Zealand with the 2008 Footnote Forte Season.

"Claire's wealth of experience in Europe, immersed with some of the best choreographers, performers and dance institutions in the world, is off the charts," she said.

"It is a coup to host one of New Zealand's best dance exports as she imports herself back home with her baby Georgie Rose. The 2008 Footnote Forte Season of Mtyland will be packed with special significance for anyone who loves dance."

The music score is designed by Herman Martin (UK), with proposed use of music by celebrated indie group Battles. Directed by Deirdre Tarrant, Footnote dancers are Sarah Knox, Anita Hunziker, Erynne Gleeson, Hannah Elks, Jesse Wikiriwhi and Jeremy Poi.

2008 Footnote Forte Season: Mtyland
Wellington: The Opera House, 8pm September 5 & 6
Auckland: Sky City Theatre, 8pm October 14
Christchurch: James Hay Theatre, 8pm October 16

Tickets: 0800 TICKETEK or www.ticketek.co.nz

www.footnote.org.nz

ENDS

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