Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company - Derry, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Ireland

Article about Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company
written by freelance journalist Seth Linder


Between June 23rd and June 26th, 32 dancers, professional and volunteers, adults and children, will perform a spectacular new contemporary dance piece on a giant chessboard of 64 one-and-a-half metre, black and white squares covering the floor of Derry's beautiful Guildhall. The Chess Piece is the latest in a series of groundbreaking performances from one of the most unique and fascinating dance companies in the UK or Ireland, Derry's own Echo Echo.


Origins

Founded by Ursula Laeubli and Steve Batts in Amsterdam in 1991, Echo Echo worked in various European countries before Pauline Ross at the Derry Playhouse invited them to host a workshop in 1997. English-born Steve, who grew up in Portstewart, and Ursula, who is Swiss, so impressed Pauline that she invited them to form a resident dance company at the Playhouse.

Poetry of movement

One of the few dance organisations in Ireland at the time, Echo Echo would prove to be no ordinary company. There are no showy pyrotechnics and despite the internationally acclaimed quality and creativity of the company's dancers - no stars. Instead their ethos is based on the poetry of movement, their work developing organically from the dancers themselves, professional and non-professional. Steve explains:

Universal gift

"Echo Echo is focused around the idea of movement as a poetic medium, something that is a universal gift. There may be different forms and styles but beneath it all is a universal desire in all of us to create a poetic form in movement. So we start with the natural poetic intent of people, whatever their experience in movement, whether they're professionals like myself or kids coming into the company or adult volunteers".

Unique wisdom

Working on the premise that each person has a unique wisdom, Echo Echo draw people into a resonant world of movement experience, no matter whom they work with. "For instance", Steve says, "I don't have the story that say a quadriplegic has in their perception of poetic movement. It's about opening up a world of movement which isn't sabotaged by the idea it has to be about jazz hands and kicking up your legs up and is about removing the sense that it's a contest or there's a right way of doing it".

Northern Ireland's leading contemporary dance company

Over the years Echo Echo, now based in Derry's Waterside Theatre, has developed into the leading contemporary dance company in Northern Ireland and one of the most interesting in the UK or Ireland. With a wide-ranging educational brief, their classes begin with five-year-olds, include University of Ulster students, whose dance degree is part taught by Steve and Ursula, and go right up to volunteers in their seventies. Over the years, such a large number of local people have studied and worked with them that the company not only has a retinue of eight professional dancers to work with but a large pool of talent who can be called up for specific projects.

Developing local talent

Typical of the policy of developing local talent is Ayesha Mailey, choreographer of The Chess Piece, who first came to their workshops in the late 1990s, graduating from youth dances classes before taking a dance degree at Chichester University in England. Having qualified in 2004, she is now a key member of the team, helping to deliver their outreach programme as well as teaching dance at the North West Institute Creative Arts Department.

Resonance

As well as dancers who have developed through their children's and youth classes Echo Echo also develop relationships with dancers, choreographers and musicians from around Europe, such as in their 2005 production Resonance. Directed by Wolfgang Hoffman, a three-time Edinburgh Fringe First Winner, Resonance explored the relationship between a couple who can't bear being close or apart.

Ripple Affect

One of the most exciting performances of recent years was Ripple Affect, where Steve's inspiration was the simple, everyday concept of a hug. Expressed through movement, it explores the imprint each hug leaves in people's body and minds. As always with Echo Echo, the choreography grew out of the dancers and their lives, rather than being imposed on them.

Henry Girls

"The work doesn't exist somewhere out there", Steve says, "We start with the dancers as people and work from there". An extraordinary piece, widely acclaimed on its 2009/2010 tour of Ireland, it was enhanced by the beautiful music of the multi-instrumentalist Henry Girls from Donegal, who worked in tandem with Steve and the five dancers from the company when composing the music. Haunting, with traditional and world influences, it beautifully complements the power of the dancing,

Cheerleaders for dance

The quality and inclusivity Echo Echo brings to both its classes and performances, has created a growing interest in contemporary dance in the city. One of the dancers (and co-devisers) in both Resonance and Ripple Affect was American Emily Welther, who, though based in Germany, has become a key member of the team. Last year she led an intensive three-week education programme for young people between 16 and 18, for those who might be considering dance as a career. Tellingly, several have now made that choice.

The Chess Piece

There is growing excitement about Echo Echo's latest production, The Chess Piece in Derry. A collaborative piece involving the company's professional dancers, adult volunteers and dancers from the youth and children's classes, it typifies what makes Echo Echo special and is one of the largest productions the city has seen for years. Aged from 7 to 67, each dancer, as always, has been involved in its creation as well as execution.

Olympic Connection

First conceived in early 2008, it is the first part of Echo Echo's three-year Into-Contact programme funded by Legacy Trust UK, which was set up to create a lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games. The Chess Piece will deliver its sports and dance theme (The Verbal Arts Centre in Derry will explore sport and the word). Next year Echo Echo will look at the theme of movement and climbing (in collaboration with artist and rock climber Dan Shipsides) while in the third year, the theme will be memories.

Magical Experience

Awarded the Inspire Mark, which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 London Games, The Chess Piece is set to be one of the highlights of the cultural year in Derry. "It's going to be a magical experience", Steve says. "Along with the 32 dancers, we have the input from our partners In Your Space, who bring their costume, street performance and big event expertise to the production and music from Ray Curran, who toured with the Duke Special Band for two years. Different cultures inspire the movement and costumes, so it's a kind of journey in dance around the world exploring themes of competition, territory, power, difference and similarity".

City of Culture

"The Council, which has been very supportive to Echo Echo over the years, has done great work in animating city places and with festive events and encouraging participation in the arts. What I would like to see more of is a quality of cultural engagement where people who really want to get deeply into the arts can take that further. The only way to engage people is through quality; great musicians, for instance, who are dedicated to helping kids play. If we dumb down those we are trying to draw into this world will say TV is better and they're right. I'd like the City of Culture to help people here step into the world of the artist. It can scary and challenging, but where else would you want to be".


Thanks to Seth Linder for this article.


Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company - Derry, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Ireland

The Chess Piece design is finished...

TICKETS GO ONSALE ON TUESDAY 1ST JUNE

Belly-dancing in Waterside

Echo Echo friend Nina Dibb brings 'The Magic Touch' to the Waterside Theatre next Friday night, 21st May...

Booking details at Waterside Theatre website:

http://www.watersidetheatre.com/events/byevent/53

Further show info at the Facebook event page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=333579692194&index=1

Proceeds go to Anti-Slavery International.

Short season of dance at Echo Echo

There is a real celebration of dance happening in Echo Echo over the next three weeks. Over six performance nights, there will be 25 people on stage and many more behind the scenes, including an expanding ensemble of local artists, and guests from Ireland, USA, Chile, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland.

This week the seriously talented Echo Echo ensemble is presenting an evening of short dance and movement pieces called ‘Interactions’. The night is totally free to the public and we encourage you to come and support local artists and see what happens when dancers are given the instruction: create!

Dance is developing as an artform in the northwest and ‘Interactions’ will feature work by local and guest artists – solos, duets and group pieces. Some with music, some with text and all influenced by Echo Echo’s unique movement style, from experienced professionals to emerging artists.

This is a real opportunity to see unique evening of performance so come along and check it out. We guarantee you will be impressed.

‘Interactions’ is at 8pm on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th April in the Waterside Theatre.

Next week Echo Echo is delighted to host two internationally acclaimed duets on one special double bill of dance and physical theatre. US dance company Casebolt & Smith are touring these islands from Los Angeles. With a long list of enviable press reviews, this is a unique chance to watch a quirky and technically gifted dance duo.

Offaly-based company Legitimate Bodies will present their critically acclaimed show ‘Hanging in There’, based on text from the Good Friday Agreement. This is a must-see for anyone with an interest/disdain in politics, particularly on Election Eve! Anyone I know who has seen this was really impressed, it’s a very funny take on challenging subject matter.

Both companies are currently hot property and have played the international festival circuit to rave reviews. The special double bill takes place in Echo Echo Dance Studio on Wednesday 5 May at 8pm for the ridiculously low price of £5.

Over the next fortnight, Echo Echo and The Henry Girls will be in the studio rehearsing for a short tour of ‘Ripple Affect’, Steve Batts’ 2009 production that was very warmly received by audiences and critics alike. It is a fantastic blend of passionate dance performance with live musical improvisation, featuring eight gifted artists from throughout the northwest and from Chile, Spain and the US.

‘Ripple Affect’ is showing in Derry, Omagh and Strabane on the 12, 13 and 14 May. See the company website for details.

Echo Echo has been looking at ways to present more dance performance events in Derry and this short season of local and international work is just the beginning. It promises to be an interesting few weeks and we look forward to your support to come watch the shows, give us your feedback, and tell your friends.

Hopefully see you soon.

Ailbe

Body Wisdom: Dance classes for the over 50s

As part of The Learning Age Project, the Workers Educational Association and Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company have teamed up once again to offer a unique and innovative project for those aged 50+ in the community.

The course is called ‘Body Wisdom’ based on the notion that wisdom and experience is written in the skin, muscles and bones. It will address health and well being of the body with the wonderful benefits of gentle dance and movement.

The course has been running since 2009 but spaces are available for any newcomers interested.

Facilitator and Artistic Director of Echo Echo, Steve Batts said: “This is a lovely opportunity for anyone who would like to engage in dance and movement in a context, which values the physicality of older people. It will combine a concern with the physical benefits of movement with the pleasure of activating the imagination.”

He adds: “In most art forms there is a respect for age. For example the writer finds a voice in their fifties, the blues singer has only begun at 60 or the painter’s art comes to its creative peak in the 70's. Unfortunately in dance the emphasis is strongly placed on youth and athleticism. This course will start from respecting the experience, knowledge and wisdom of older people.”

The four-week course begins on Friday 9th April from 10am to 12pm in the Echo Echo Dance Studio, Waterside Theatre, Derry-Londonderry. It is FREE. If interest is there at the end of the four weeks then the course will continue throughout the year.

If you are interested, contact the Echo Echo office on 028 7134 2266 or email info@echoechodance.com

Be Inspired to Dance this Spring!

Echo Echo has announced it’s busy workshop programme for April to June 2010. This term includes the regular weekly children’s, youth and adult classes but with a twist.

Each group will be working on the development of the company’s biggest production yet- The Chess Piece. Some participants will be asked to perform in the shows in June.

The classes are part of Echo Echo’s Into Contact Programme, which is a Connections project funded by Legacy Trust UK and managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Chess Piece production has been granted the prestigious Inspire Mark, which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the London 2012 Games.

All weekly classes recommence on the week beginning Monday 11th April and spaces are limited so anyone interested is advised to book ASAP.

Also, scheduled for the upcoming months: Tango workshops with Leilani Weis, Sunday Sessions, and a Contact Improvisation Weekend Workshop on 5th and 6th June.

For full details of upcoming events, visit www.echoechodance.com or contact the office on +44(0)28 7134 2266 or email info@echoechodance.com.

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company receive £125,000 for three year Legacy project in lead up to London 2012 Olympics

Northern Ireland’s leading contemporary dance company, Echo Echo will launch its unique three-year programme- Into Contact- in April. The project received £125,000 funding from the Legacy Trust UK Connections Programme, which is managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Derry based Dance Company is one of six lead organisations involved in Northern Ireland’s Connections programme; part of Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Echo Echo’s Into Contact programme will use this funding to develop and deliver an outstanding programme of sport themed dance events in partnership with other organisations, emphasising the skill, beauty and magic of dance and sport.

It will include three high profile performance events, a strand focused on the development of dance and movement in the education sector and an audience development element- all of which are aimed at providing a lasting legacy for people long after the 2012 London Olympics.

Artistic Director of Echo Echo Steve Batts said:

“At first glance there would seem to be a natural and easy connection between dance and sport, but does the connection really go much deeper than the seemingly obvious shared physicality in the two areas? We are very grateful for the opportunity to explore this in a thoughtful and rather unusual way. We hope and believe that our work throughout this project, in both the artistic and outreach elements will be exciting, stimulating and worthwhile.”

Dugald Mackie, Chair of Legacy Trust UK said:

“The benefits of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be felt not just in London but throughout the UK. The Games are a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of people across the world. We believe that projects such as Echo Echo’s Into Contact will inspire and encourage people throughout Northern Ireland to get involved and will help leave a lasting legacy for the region.”

The launch event will be held on Tuesday 27th April and will be followed by Echo Echo’s performance evening Interactions. The dance ensemble will show solos, duets and group pieces– some serious, some wacky – encouraged by Artistic Director Steve Batts to take risks and let their imagination fly.

The launch is an open event and all are welcome. Tickets for Interactions are free and are available from The Waterside Theatre box office on 028 7131 4000.

If you would like more information about Echo Echo’s Into Contact programme or are interested in getting involved, contact the Echo Echo office on 028 7134 2266, email info@echoechodance.com or visit www.echoechodance.com.

Into Contact is funded by the Legacy trust UK Connections Programme which is managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.