The New Zealand Dance Company continues its reputation for choreographic mastery and extraordinary contemporary dance with the premiere of its triple bill Kiss the Sky.

Artistic director Shona McCullagh combines three choreographers’ works on the theme of the seasons, time and the southern sky, in a season to coincide with the Matariki Festival.

Sigan (time)

(30 minutes)

The New Zealand Dance Company is delighted to present its first commission from Asia with this work. Drawing from the twin themes of meditation and attack, Korean choreographer/composer KIM Jae Duk's Sigan (time) features a dynamic score with traditional Korean instruments at the heart of a contemporary composition.

 

The Seasons Retouched

(30 – 40 minutes followed by a 20 minute intermission)

Multi-award-winning New Zealand choreographer Sue Healey sets this work to composer Max Richter’s Recomposed. This piece touches on images of the seasons and changing weather, combined with a formal architectural approach to the choreography. Hailed as the most influential composer of his generation, Max Richter’s music is played live by Blackbird Ensemble. This work features AV design by Augusto.

 

If Never Was Now

(30 minutes)

Renowned Australian choreographer Stephanie Lake’s work, described by Limelight Magazine as “eccentric and whimsical with a playful, riotous edge…urgent and brilliantly unpredictable”, reflects the beauty and brutality of the natural world.

 

Please note there is a post-show Q&A following the Friday 30 June, 12.30pm performance; pre-show talk in Korean, English and Mandarin ahead of the Friday 30 June, 7.30pm performance; and a whole whānau movement workshop and refreshments at 2.30pm ahead of the Saturday 1 July, 4pm performance - all free to ticket holders.
 

Kiss The Sky in the media:

Dancer Xin Ji in Gay Express
Choreographer, Stephanie Lake on Radio New Zealand with Kim Hill 
The Urban List on must-see Matariki shows
NZ Herald on this show being the first to commission Korean choreographer KIM Jae Duk in New Zealand.
 

The New Zealand Dance Company would like to acknowledge the support of: