Bristol Old Vic presents world premiere of Impermanence's BAAL
16 Apr 2019
Critically acclaimed dance company Impermanence debuts its latest innovative creation, the first ever dance adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s play BAAL, in a one-off event on the main stage of the Bristol Old Vic.
Three years in the making (the initial scratch performance was nurtured during Bristol Old Vic’s Ferment Fortnight in 2018) and packed with extreme physicality, dark humour and beautiful poetry,BAAL will see four exceptional dancers and a live musician grapple with love, sexuality, betrayal, nature and lust.
The tale was originally written in 1918 on Brecht’s return from war, and since then, this ultimate anti-hero has been interpreted and performed by none other than David Bowie and the iconic German film-maker Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
In this groundbreaking new production from Bristol-based Impermanence, the company that created acclaimed hit shows Da-Da-Darling, Sexbox and the 2018 film The Ballet of the Nations, BAAL follows a path of consumption, greed and ultimate destruction; echoing the spiralling events of our current ecological crisis. This stunning multi-media production will feature a dual channel film, live music by composer Robert Bentall and lusciously designed costumes and set from Pam Tait.
Through 2019, Impermanence have curated a season of dance work with Bristol Old Vic, highlighting Bristol’s hugely creative dance scene and shining a spotlight on an art form which needs championing in the city. BAAL marks the first main house debut for the company and sits within a week of nationally acclaimed dance work from Ballet Boyz and Ballet Black, both now established visitors to Bristol Old Vic's stage.
Bristol Old Vic producer Sian Weeding said:
“It’s hugely exciting for us to be working so closely with Impermanence on our dance programme. The company are at the forefront of re-energising dance in the city, curating work, performing and developing projects in true collaboration. We are thrilled they are bringing the fully-formed production of BAAL to our theatre stage after we were lucky enough to see it’s early incarnation as part of Ferment Fortnight last year. The fact this is the first time Brecht’s play has been adapted as a dance piece makes Bristol Old Vic the perfect venue”.
BAAL
Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Thursday 25 April
7:30pm
Tickets from £12
Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016. The historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.
They use their funding to support experiment and innovation, to allow access to their programme for people who would not otherwise encounter it, or be able to afford it, and to keep their extraordinary heritage alive and animated.
On 24 Sep 2018, Bristol Old Vic completed its 2-year multi-million pound redevelopment project, which transformed its front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, created a new studio theatre and opened up its unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time.