Dance / Neon Dance
Bristol Beacon hosts bold fusion of music, film and dance set 2 billion years in the future
A future race of humans finds itself on the verge of extinction.
Almost all that’s left in the world are lone and surreal monuments, beaming their message into the wilderness.
From Swindon-based and internationally renowned company and arts charity Neon Dance, who have been making work for over 20 years, comes Last and First Men – now touring after a premiere at Berlin’s CTM Festival in 2024.
Neon Dance, First and Last Men
For one night only on September 26, the 65-minute dance work comes to Bristol Beacon, after appearing at Newcastle’s Dance City.
The work is choreographed by Neon Dance founder Adrienne Hart, in conjunction with Makiko Aoyama and the trio of dancers Fukiko Takase, Kelvin Kilonzo and Aoi Nakamara.
The eye-catching costume design for Last and First Men is by Mikio Sakabe
Set to the late Icelandic composer Johann Jóhannsson’s 16mm black and white film, which is narrated by Tilda Swinton, the dancers are accompanied by a live musical performance of the original score, co-written by Jóhannsson and Yair Elazar Gotman.
The astonishing costume design comes from Mikio Sakabe and Ana Rajcevic, with lighting from Nico De Rooij.
Neon Dance: Last and First Men is at Bristol Beacon on September 26 at 8pm. Presented in collaboration with Encounters Film Festival. Tickets are available at www.bristolbeacon.org.
Main photo: Miles Hart & Parsifal Werkman
Read next:
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- Review: Elefantin, The Mount Without – ‘A mesmeric performance of a compelling narrative’
- ‘To Be Continued’: a night of first-look performances at The Mount Without
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