The Cultural Center of the Philippines,
British Council Philippines and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)
present
James Cousins’ “Without Stars/There We Have Been”
Inspired by Haruki Murakami’s novel Norwegian Wood: after his best friend dies, the hero starts a relationship with the bereaved girlfriend. In Cousins’ duet, the dancers are intimately entwined but her focus is rarely on him. She reaches out into space, but would fall if he let her go. For the whole of this long duet, an intense relationship drama, the female dancer literally never touches the ground. Choreographer James Cousins is a rising star, winner of the first New Adventures Choreographer Award. Scottish Ballet performed his work as part of its International Festival programme. Presented in cooperation with the British Council Philippines and the Philippine Educational Theater Association.
In the span of a few short years, James Cousins has achieved more than many choreographers manage in a lifetime. A graduate of London Contemporary Dance School, he has moved seamlessly from performing work to creating it, quickly finding himself in demand with dance companies at home and abroad.
The inaugural winner of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Choreography Award, Cousins was chosen for his “refreshing desire to entertain” – the same reason those who see his work are hungry to return.
Like Bourne, Cousins knows how to communicate with an audience. He thinks outside the box, finding new and interesting ways to move the body and bring dancers together. Abstract yet utterly accessible, his choreography is dynamic, emotional and clever, with a complexity that provokes admiration rather than confusion.
Having created work for the National Ballet of Chile, Scottish Ballet and the Royal Ballet of Flanders amongst others, Cousins’ reputation as a dancemaker worth watching grows by the hour. But the desire to work without compromise, with dancers of his own choosing, has led to the exciting creation of James Cousins Company, and its first UK tour.
Inspired by Haruki Murakami’s dark but beautifully tender novel, Norwegian Wood, Cousins has choreographed Without Stars and There We Have Been. Taking the themes of love, loss and friendship from the Japanese story, and adding his own unique quality to them, he has created a rich and powerful double-bill.
The future of British contemporary dance is in safe hands.
“Intricate, beautifully danced…. Cousins is a rising star.”
The Independent
“Outstanding… Visually breathtaking”
The Stage
“simply beggars belief with their stamina (and) expressive artistry”
The Herald
“Simply one of the most stunning contemporary dance pieces I have ever seen”
Londondance.com
Ticket Price: P500 with 50% discount for students, 20% discount for PWD, seniors, military and government personnel and 10% discount for CCP Members.
To purchase tickets, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704/06, or visit this link: http://culturalcenter.gov.ph/single-tickets/view-event/?id=36910279
