NIELS PLOTARD
NIELS PLOTARD
THE ŻFINMALTA DANCE ENSEMBLE MALTA’S REPERTORY NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY
AS CULTURE CONTINUES TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN MALTA, THE ŻFINMALTA DANCE ENSEMBLE (ŻMDE) HAS POSITIONED ITSELF AT THE VERY CORE OF THE ISLAND’S FAST-DEVELOPING DANCE SECTOR. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN SEPTEMBER 2014, THIS DYNAMIC COMPANY HAS CRAFTED A WIDE-RANGING REPERTOIRE, INCLUDING NEW WORKS CREATED IN MALTA BY UP-AND-COMING AND ESTABLISHED LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHOREOGRAPHERS, AS WELL AS THE RE-STAGING OF RENOWNED WORKS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. ŻFINMALTA IS VERSATILE IN ITS WORK, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY VERY CONNECTED TO ITS EURO-MEDITERRANEAN ROOTS. IT STRIVES TO INSPIRE, EXCITE AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, INCLUDE ITS AUDIENCES IN ITS DEVELOPING IDEAS, AS WELL AS IN THE ADVANCEMENTS TAKING PLACE WITHIN THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS SCENE INTERNATIONALLY.
ŻFINMALTA: THE PRESENT & FUTURE ŻFINMALTA IS HELPING TO POSITION MALTA AS A CULTURAL HUB OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE IN EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN.
Today the company is striving to develop world-class work that can proudly represent Malta on the global stage. In fact, it has started to gain international recognition through its tours. ŻfinMalta premiered its first mixed bill ERBGĦA(4) in March 2015, and toured it in Jerusalem and Palestine. Its full-length work JE TIENS LA REINE, which opened in June 2015 at the Malta Arts Festival, also toured in Malaysia and India as part of the CHOGM External Cultural Programme. Both works are expected to tour again in 2016-2017 and have been accepted to form part of the Malta Showcase 2016/2017. This is helping to establish Malta as a major player in the global creative industry and on the international dance scene. Aside from building a repertoire of work, ŻfinMalta is also dedicated to reaching out and building audiences of all races, genders, backgrounds and abilities. It is achieving this through its education and outreach programmes by developing high quality work, both within and outside the traditional theatre setting. ŻfinMalta is building partnerships with international choreographers and creative arts professionals, while also actively developing the skills of young Maltese artists and choreographers. The company is striving to give these artists the chance to showcase their work on an international platform by creating dialogue between them and the global dance industry.
EMMA TRANTER
MAVIN KHOO
ŻFINMALTA - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
MAVIN KHOO IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AS A DANCE ARTIST, TEACHER, CHOREOGRAPHER, AND ARTIST SCHOLAR. HE STUDIED BHARATA NATYAM WITH THE LEGENDARY DANCE MAESTRO PADMA SHRI ADYAR K. LAKSHMAN IN INDIA, THE CUNNINGHAM TECHNIQUE AT THE CUNNINGHAM STUDIOS IN NEW YORK, AND CLASSICAL BALLET UNDER MARIAN ST CLAIRE, MICHAEL BEARE, NANCY KILGOUR, PAUL LEWIS, AYUMI HIKASA, RAYMOND CHAI AND TORY JESTYN. As a contemporary dance artist he has worked with Wayne McGregor, Akram Khan, the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company and many others. His commissioned works include creations for the Venice Biennale and Canada Dance Festival to name but a few. ‘Images in Varnam’ (2001) was commissioned by the Royal Ballet Artists Development Initiative and was followed by another Royal Opera House to commission ‘Let Me...’ with Royal Ballet dancer Kristen McNally. Khoo is considered one of the few Bharata Natyam male soloists to have carved a niche for himself as a touring artist, while still regularly dancing at all major venues in India, including the Music Academy and Kalakshetra in Chennai. His own company, mavinkhooDance, was founded in 2003. Productions for this company include ‘Parallel Passions’ (2003), ‘Chandra/Luna’ (2004-2005), ‘Devi: the Female Principle’ (2006), ‘Strictly Bharata Natyam’ (2006), ‘Devi: In Absolution’ (2008), ‘Dancing my Shiva’ (2010), ‘00.00 - 00.01’ (2011), ‘Akasha’ (2012) and ‘I Am With You, Muruga’ (2013). Khoo holds an MA in Choreography from Middlesex University. He was a faculty member of the Dance Studies Department (at the School of Performing Arts) at the University of Malta. He acts as Rehearsal Director to Akram Khan Company and, in 2014, was appointed Artistic Director of the ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble, where he also choreographs and dances with the company.
“WE WANT TO INSTIL THE NOTION OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION IN OUR AUDIENCES. THIS WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I INSISTED THAT ŻFINMALTA SHOULD BE A CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, AS CREATIVITY IS INTRINSIC TO CONTEMPORARY DANCE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT OUR JOB IS NOT TO BE SIMPLE AND LITERAL ABOUT MALTESE IDENTITY, BUT TO SEARCH FOR IT, AND PRESENT IT, IN A MUCH DEEPER AND MORE SUBLIMINAL WAY. WE WANT TO BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE – IN ORDER TO WORK WITH ŻFINMALTA YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A DANCER WITHIN THE COMPANY. WE WANT TO CREATE AND SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DANCERS ALL OVER MALTA, AND BEYOND.” MAVIN KHOO, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
EMMA TRANTER
ŻFINMALTA - EDUCATION & OUTREACH THE ŻFINMALTA DANCE ENSEMBLE PROVIDES EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMES THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP TO MAKE DANCE MORE ACCESSIBLE. These programmes are creating work to interest all demographics, as well as workshops and residencies to suit the specific needs and interests of participants. Projects, which include workshops and residencies, target different demographics and are created to suit the specific needs and interests of participants. The company’s education work devises tailor-made projects that are aimed at the different levels of Malta’s education system, including primary, secondary, post-secondary and tertiary. These programmes encourage the development of valuable personal and social skills, while also promoting health awareness, and inspiring creativity and personal expression. In addition, the company provides programmes specifically for dancers following courses in vocational dance. These encourage dance students to develop their skills in professional contemporary dance within the practice of the ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble. These skills will be introduced through contemporary dance techniques, floor work, improvisation, voice and repertoire. The programme offers an insight into what the 21st century dancers needs so as to work professionally. Through these projects, collaborations on specific project ideas with schools, their teachers and choreographers, are encouraged. ŻfinMalta’s outreach programmes also vary substantially to cater for different community groups within society. Projects range from the introduction of dance to youths, especially boys, to events created for elderly homes and others organised in different localities in collaboration with local councils. Such activities often include performances, workshops and even other, more creative, tailor-made ideas. The company’s goal is to have a wide reach within the local community, thus enabling those less likely to have the motivation to watch dance at a theatre to experience dance close to their environments. ŻfinMalta’s goal is to create inclusive and engaging experiences so as to encourage participants to get involved in its process.
EMMA TRANTER
KICK THE BUCKET, ERBGĦA(4) MARCH 2015
CHARLES PAUL AZZOPARDI
ŻFINMALTA PRODUCTIONS
ŻMDE LAUNCHED ITS FIRST SEASON WITH ERBGĦA(4), A PREMIERE FEATURING FOUR DANCES BY FOUR DIFFERENT CHOREOGRAPHERS. THE MIXED BILL PRESENTED DISTINCTIVE WORKS THAT DEMONSTRATE THE VERSATILITY AND DIVERSITY OF THE COMPANY WITHIN ŻMDE’S EUROMEDITERRANEAN CONTEXT AND SENSIBILITY. Newly commissioned works for ERBGĦA(4) included ‘Selah’ by the UK-based Spanish choreographer Jose Agudo (with new music by Vincenzo Lamagna), ‘Iż-Żmien’ by Maltese choreographer Francesca Tranter (with music by Walter Micallef) and a company ensemble work by artistic director Mavin Khoo (performed to a ‘Stabat Mater’ by 18th century Maltese - Italian composer Girolamo Abos). The premiere concluded with the duet, ‘Kick the Bucket’ by the Dutch-based international choreographer Iván Pérez Avilés (with music by Aaron Martin), which was re-staged by the company.
Artistic Direction Mavin Khoo SELAH Choreography Jose Agudo Composer Vincenzo Lamagna Costume Designer Elisabeth Kinn Svensson Lighting Design Moritz Zavan Stoeckle
STABAT MATER Choreography Mavin Khoo Composer Girolamo Abos Costume Design Elisabeth Kinn Svensson Lighting Design Moritz Zavan Stoeckle
IŻ-ŻMIEN Choreography Francesca Tranter Composer Walter Micallef Costume Designer Elisabeth Kinn Svensson Lighting Design Moritz Zavan Stoeckle
KICK THE BUCKET Choreography Iván Pérez Avilés Composer Aaron Martin Costumes Carlijn Petermeijer Lighting Design Peter Lemmens Décor Ivan Perez Avilés Text Eckhart Tolle
CREDITS Artistic Development Sandra Mifsud Rehearsal Directors Athanasia Kannellopoulou, Celia Amade, Nico Monaco, Samuel Guist Repetiteur (Kick the Bucket) Christopher Tandy Coaches Paul Portelli, Raymond Chai, Patsy Kuppe-Loew Composer & Sound Designer Renzo Spiteri Production Designer Moritz Zavan Stoeckle Production Assistant Keith Chetcuti Lighting Supervisor Ismael Portelli Stage Manager Claudio Apap Stage Assistant Jason Apap Dramaturg Lou Cope, Dr Giuliana Fenech Class Pianist Dr. Veronique Vella, Joe Debono Researcher Stefanelle Cachia Project Management Marco Montalto, Gaby Giacchino Front of House Alegria Dance Company Logistics Marie Claire Camilleri, Matt Brown Marketing Sarah-Lee Zammit, Arts Council Malta PR Sandra Aquilina, Arts Council Malta Legal Advisor Dr. Luke Dalli, Arts Council Malta Bloggers Marc Buhagiar, Giuliana Barbaro Sant Photography Emma Tranter, Niels Plotard Videographer Niels Plotard Design Anthony Galea
JOE SMITH
SELAH, ERBGĦA(4) MARCH 2015
“CHOOSING THE PIECE TO OPEN THIS HIGHLYANTICIPATED EVENT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN AN EASY TASK FOR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MAVIN KHOO. IT HAD TO DRAW IN AN AUDIENCE WHICH HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SUCH AN EVENT TO TAKE PLACE FOR YEARS. THE CHOSEN PIECE, SELAH, SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED THIS AND MORE.” CLAIRE CARUANA, THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA
CHARLES PAUL AZZOPARDI
IŻ-ŻMIEN, ERBGĦA(4) MARCH 2015
“UNIQUELY MALTESE IN FLAVOUR, IŻ-ŻMIEN WAS INSPIRED BY THE NUMEROUS CONFLICTS AND CONTRADICTIONS THAT MAKE UP HUMAN EXISTENCE.” ANNA-MARIE GALEA THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA
JOE SMITH
STABAT MATER, ERBGĦA(4) MARCH 2015
“ŻFINMALTA IS PAVING THE WAY TOWARDS CREATING A LASTING LEGACY; ONE THAT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AS WE HEAD TOWARDS VALLETTA 2018 AND BEYOND.” IGGY FENECH THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA
JOE SMITH
STABAT MATER, ERBGĦA(4) MARCH 2015
CHARLES PAUL AZZOPARDI
STABAT MATER, ERBGĦA(4) MARCH 2015
“THE WORK TOOK THE AUDIENCE ON A JOURNEY IN THE PURSUIT OF SPIRITUAL ECSTASY BROUGHT ABOUT BY A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF SUFFERING.” ANNA-MARIE GALEA THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA
DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI
KICK THE BUCKET, ERBGĦA(4) MARCH 2015
“THE PAS DE DEUX BETWEEN KHOO AND GABIN CORREDOR WAS EXTREMELY WELL-BALANCED AND ELEGANT TO WATCH, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WAS ULTIMATELY PORTRAYING VERY EXTREME EMOTIONS.” ANNA-MARIE GALEA THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA
JOE SMITH
JE TIENS LA REINE, JULY 2015
“AN EXTREMLY ENGAGING DISPLAY OF TECHNICAL PROWESS AND EMOTIVE ACTING“ RAMONA DEPARES THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA
CHARLES PAUL AZZOPARDI
JE TIENS LA REINE WHAT HAPPENS TO A LAND AND ITS CREATURES WHEN THE PRIMAL ENERGIES THAT RUN THROUGH IT ARE SHAKEN AND SHIFTED? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE HORROR OF OUR DREAMS BECOMES REALITY? In Je Tiens La Reine, a band of fauns are seduced by the allure and sensuality of Calypso and her nymph sisters, drawn to the border where the earth meets the sea impulsively giving in to their darkest longings and desires. The fauns behave recklessly and their actions cause chaos and disruption as the nymphs, recognising their destructive nature, resist their hold and courageously attempt to protect their land and rituals of old. Intervening to restore order, the goddess Venus appears. Representing love, creation and prosperity, Venus’s divine power forces everyone, especially Calypso and the protagonist faun, to honour their destiny no matter what price there is to pay. Can the fauns redeem favour with Venus? Can peace be restored to this troubled land? Will Calypso return to the solitude of her cave unsatisfied or will she embrace her divine nature too? What, in the end, will be sacrificed in order to satisfy Venus? Like all tales of this kind, Je Tiens La Reine transports us to a magical place whilst reminding us of the journeys we take in our own lives. In this contemporary adaptation of Mallarmé’s 1876 L’Après-midi d’un Faune and Debussy’s 1894 Prélude a L’Après-midi d’un Faune, ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble tells the story of a faun’s encounter with the Ogygia-based Calypso. Like the sources that inspired it, Je Tiens La Reine assimilates the suggestiveness of the poetry and the music and is interwoven with rituals, quests and regressions that are represented through an intricate dance choreography by Mavin Khoo, accompanied by a resonant composition by Renzo Spiteri and a narrative adaptation by Giuliana Fenech.
CREDITS Choreography Mavin Khoo Commissioned Composition Renzo Spiteri Dramaturgy Giuliana Fenech Choreographic Assistance & Rehearsal Direction Athanasia Kanellopoulou, Samuel Guist, Nico Monaco Production & Light Design Moritz Zavan Stoeckle Photography & Videographer Niels Plotard Design Anthony Galea Seamstress Simona Mamo Agency Administrator Marco Montalto Administrator Stefanelle Cachia
JE TIENS LA REINE, JULY 2015
“ THE WORK ITSELF STIMULATED AN INTENSE WAVE OF EMOTION THAT EBBED AND FLOWED TOGETHER WITH THE BEAT OF THE MUSIC AND THE MOVEMENT OF THE DANCERS“ RAMONA DEPARES THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA
CHARLES PAUL AZZOPARDI
ONLINE & MEDIA PRESENCE AT ŻFINMALTA WE ARE PASSIONATE AND PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DO AND THE MANY STAGES THAT GO INTO EACH PERFORMANCE THAT WE PRODUCE. IN FACT, WE LOVE TO SHARE WHAT WE DO! For this reason, we have built a strong presence online and in the media. Every single one of our shows and events has been published and written about in the national press, including previews, interviews with our dancers and team, and reviews. We have also received international press for our work overseas and have been featured in publications while we have been on tour. Online, our website and social media enable us to reach out to our followers all over the world. From rehearsal videos and dancer profiles to our regularly-updated Facebook page, these outlets help us to keep in touch and distribute information on the work that we are doing. This is also the place where we can share news of ŻfinMalta supporters, and tell our followers all about our upcoming performances and events. To find out more or to follow our work, visit our website at zfinmalta.org and Facebook page www.facebook.com/ zfinmalta.
www.zfinmalta.org
“ŻFINMALTA HAS GIVEN DANCE THE RECOGNITION THAT WE HAVE WAITED FOR ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, A GLIMMER OF HOPE TO ALL THOSE TRAINING IN DANCE THAT IT CAN BE TAKEN AS A PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN MALTA.” ALISON WHITE
CHAIRPERSON ALISON WHITE
ALISON WHITE’S INTERNATIONAL CAREER IS NOW IN ITS 41ST YEAR AND HAS INVOLVED MANY AREAS OF THE DANCE AND ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS: FROM DANCER, SINGER, TEACHER AND CHOREOGRAPHER, TO PRINCIPAL OF HER OWN DANCE SCHOOL AND DIRECTOR OF HER OWN DANCE COMPANY, AS WELL AS WORKING IN SEVERAL NATIONAL COMMITTEE POSITIONS. She has been involved in a vast array of major productions, performances and conventions with international companies. These include the Malta national rock opera ‘Ġensna’, ‘Me and My Gal’, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, ‘Dr Seussical’, ‘Aida’, ‘Forza Del Destino’, ‘Turandot’, ‘Il-Kennies tal-Ġenna’, Eurovision, and annual pantomimes with the Manoel Theatre and MADC. Alison has also worked on numerous adverts and promotions for international companies and TV. Alison was involved in the Dance Council Malta for 19 years, and president for the last eight. She is the official dance instructor for the Guardian Angel School, where, for the past 29 years, she has pioneered the integration of dancers with special needs into mainstream dance training and performance. She has also been involved with Opening Doors, a training programme for students with disabilities. Alison was appointed chairperson of ŻfinMalta in 2015.
EMMA TRANTER
BOARD MEMBERS KATE DE CESARE Kate De Cesare is the director of marketing & PR for the Eden Leisure Group, Malta’s leading entertainment and leisure company. As part of her role, she has been instrumental in supporting and promoting the arts through the organisation of various live and screened theatrical and musical performances and exhibitions within the Eden Cinema multiplex. Kate has been heavily involved in the arts from a young age, with a passion for visual arts and the stage. She has been known to tread the floorboards since her youth and can often be seen on stage in Maltese theatres. Aside from the stage, Kate has made several appearances on TV and film since 2009. Prior to joining ŻfinMalta, Kate served as PRO for the MADC (Malta Amateur Dramatics Club) for two years. Kate joined the ŻfinMalta board in 2015. CHRIS GRECH Chris Grech has been in business for over 30 years and, throughout his career, has always had a soft spot for the arts. Over the years he has regularly sponsored artistic events, and provided opportunities that opened doors for many photographers, sculptors and performers. In the late 90s, Chris dedicated much of his time to trying to synergise the commercial world with the arts world, through his involvement at Bay Street. He led the team that purposely designed a platform of inclusivity, and which gave new talent the chance to shine on a public forum. While the concept may not have been executed in full, it still survives today. In 1999, Chris was appointed the first Chairman of the St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, which opened its door in 2000. His recent appointment to ŻfinMalta highlights his on-going dedication to the arts. He thinks of ŻfinMalta as ‘history in the making’ and believes Malta has always had dancers of the highest level. He is proud to be part of the exciting beginning for the contemporary dance sector on the island. Chris joined the ŻfinMalta board in 2015.
TANYA BAYONA Tanya Bayona, MQR FISTD (London) Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, is a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London, and holder of the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. Following her early training in Malta with Princess Nathalie Poutiatine, Tanya undertook professional training in London, Rome, Paris and Russia. In 1965, Tanya introduced the Cecchetti Method in Classical Ballet to Malta and established her own school. In 1981 she amalgamated with the Princess Poutiatine Academy of Ballet, which became known as the Tanya Bayona-Poutiatine Academy of Ballet, which she directed until 2004. Working extensively as a dancer and choreographer with her own dance company, Tanya’s work was showcased at both local and international festivals and within theatre and television productions. Her awards to-date include the Medal for Service to the Republic/Midalja Għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR) for her life-long commitment to dance and ballet in Malta (2008); the Enrico Cecchetti Gold Medal awarded at the Royal Ballet School, London (2009); and the Chevalier dans Les Palmes Academiques, awarded by the Government of France. Her current international engagements include guest teaching, examining and adjudicating in Classical Ballet and Choreography, and teaching Yoga. Tanya joined the ŻfinMalta board in 2015. PROFESSOR JOANNE BUTTERWORTH Joanne Butterworth is the Professor of Dance Studies at the University of Malta, and was invited, in 2009, to set up a new department offering Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Dance. She was formerly Senior Lecturer in Dance at Bretton Hall College/ the University of Leeds, where she initiated the BA (Hons.) Dance and MA in Performance Studies programmes. Latterly she directed a part-time MA in Choreography for dance practitioners at Fontys University, Tilburg, in The Netherlands, and also taught postgraduate courses at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). Jo received her MA from NYU, New York, and her doctorate from the LCDS, University of Kent. Her research interests have always focused on dance-making and its applications, which led to the Arts Council England-funded project “The Greenhouse Effect: The Art and Science of Nurturing Dancemakers” (1997-1999). She co-edited “Contemporary Choreography: A Critical Reader” with Liesbeth Wiltschut in 2009, and published “Dance Studies the Basics” in 2012, both for Routledge. Jo was Chair of Wayne MacGregor | Random Dance 2002-2012 and remains on the board. She is also a board member of Northern Ballet, Leeds, and the Opening Doors Association, Malta. Jo was Head of Dance Studies and Director of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Malta. She joined the ŻfinMalta board in 2015.
DESIGN: ANTHONY GALEA
ĹťfinMalta Dance Ensemble Mediterranean Conference Centre Hospital Street Valletta VLT 1645 Malta E. info@zfinmalta.org M. +356 9934 8291