Photography

In pictures: behind the scenes of Dublin Dance Festival 2024

Irish Times photographer Dara Mac Dónaill got unique access to three production companies as they got ready for the festival

Behind the scenes with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, who performed 13 Tongues at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre as part of the Dublin Dance Festival. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Behind the scenes with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, who performed 13 Tongues at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre as part of the Dublin Dance Festival. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Dara Mac Dónaill
Mon May 20 2024 - 07:34

Dublin Dance Festival 2024 started last week, on May 14th, and continues until next Saturday, May 25th, showcasing a wide range of exciting work. Irish Times photographer Dara Mac Dónaill got unique access as some of the productions made their preparations and went live.

13 Tongues by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Taiwan

First up was Asia’s leading contemporary dance company, the world-renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, who appeared at the Bord Gáis Theatre last Tuesday and Wednesday night. The evocative musical score interwove Taiwanese folk songs, Taoist chant, and electronica, mixing the ancient and the contemporary. With light projections of brilliant colours, shapes, and images, the dancers created an immersive and exhilarating representation of the bustling street life of Bangka, Taipei’s oldest district.

Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Huang Yen-cheng (centre) at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Huang Yen-cheng (centre) at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Behind the scenes. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Behind the scenes. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

DanceScapes Labs, Foley Street, Dublin 2 and Project Arts Centre

Over four days last week, hip hop artists from Ireland and France came together to develop their individual and collective work. Hosted by inspiring artists from the French Collectif FAIR-E, the workshops were led by local hip hop artists, including Jessie Thompson, Jessie O’Reilly and Tobi Balogun.

Sofian Jouoni (right) leads the workshop, joined by dancers from left: French dancers Maryne Esteban, Sarah Nh, and Iffra Dia, and Irish artists Jessie Thompson, Jessie O’Reilly, and Tobi Balogun. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Sofian Jouoni (right) leads the workshop, joined by dancers from left: French dancers Maryne Esteban, Sarah Nh, and Iffra Dia, and Irish artists Jessie Thompson, Jessie O’Reilly, and Tobi Balogun. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Iffra Dia, Tobi Balogun, Sofian Jouoni and Jessie O’Reilly at DanceScapes Labs. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Iffra Dia, Tobi Balogun, Sofian Jouoni and Jessie O’Reilly at DanceScapes Labs. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Bench #3. CoisCéim Dance Theatre in partnership with Waterways Ireland

A collaborative project between CoisCéim Dance Theatre in partnership with Waterways Ireland, Bench features Sibéal Davitt as the commissioned artist and choreographer. Free outdoor performances of the work take place at lunchtime next Friday, May 24th, and Saturday 25th. It is an invitation to take a breath and discover dance.

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Sibéal Davitt, rehearsing at CoisCeim Dance Studios, Fairview Strand. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Sibéal Davitt, rehearsing at CoisCeim Dance Studios, Fairview Strand. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Sibéal Davitt in rehearsal. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Sibéal Davitt in rehearsal. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Sibéal Davitt, at CoisCeim Dance Studios, Fairview Strand. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Sibéal Davitt, at CoisCeim Dance Studios, Fairview Strand. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Book Online

Tickets available online at dublindancefestival.ie

DDF Box Office

Book in person or over the phone at the Festival Box Office. Festival House, 12 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Dara Mac Dónaill

Dara Mac Dónaill is an Irish Times photographer