UK duo sets contemporary dance moves to English classics

They spoke to DT Next about the influences on their work and choreography, and the musicality of Indian dances. 

While Mirjam, who originally hails from Switzerland, has worked as a freelance dance artiste with the Dance Theatre of Ireland and the Berlin research collective, BODY, Dan is a graduate of the Royal National Theatre Step Change programme. The latter works at the forefront of dance and disability in the UK through his teaching and performance work. A duet by award-winning choreographer Javier de Frutos was inspired by Camino Real, a play by Tennessee Williams, and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. The performance also mixed a number of elements, based on everyday movements. 

Mirjam says, “Frutos suggested that we read Camino Real. The play has a similar setting to that of Pilgrims’ Way, the ancient pathways in the south of England used by pilgrims journeying to Archbishop Thomas Becket’s shrine, or even Canterbury Tales, where pilgrims are together in a place, but are unable to leave. It is about people being trapped together, like in Waiting for Godot too, which deals with two people, who are unable to find a way to break out of a situation. The choreography is based on the vision that people who are living together for long tend to become more similar.” 

Excited to be performing in India, Mirjam says that they are happy when their work acts as a catalyst. 

“We are not on our own, we connect with people through our performance. The impact that the performance leaves behind is a moving experience,” adds Mirjam. And, they are no strangers to the rich Indian dances and admire their musicality. 

“We also like the theatricality that is linked to the piece. Indian dances work with eyes and face – these movements are translated to the body – which is a fascinating experience by itself. It is interesting to see the cross-fertilisation in the different forms and also the development of Indian dances as a contemporary art form,” she says.