South Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn brings multi-disciplinary spectacle Dragons to Milton Keynes Theatre next week, writes Georgina Butler.
Dragons represent resilience, joy and optimism in Asia. This vitality has inspired a colourful production that promises to thrill theatregoers with a vibrant mix of lively dance, eclectic music, stunning projections and striking costumes.
The choreography, which blends traditional and modern dance styles from across Asia, is combined with cutting-edge technology to create a kaleidoscope of past and present. Expect the action to dive deep into lakes, trek through forests, soar through the sky and ultimately look to the future as the Eun-Me Ahn Dance Company dancers embody, and engage with, the wonders of Ahn's wild imagination.
Eun-Me Ahn, who is now in her sixties, discovered dance as an energetic and excitable child, but did not start taking technique classes until she was twelve. She graduated in contemporary dance in Seoul and established her self-named company in 1988.
Her strong feminist views have influenced her appearance and approach – shaving her head and wearing bold colours was her way of rejecting the traditional Korean view of women, which she describes as “long hair, good girl, charming wife”. She regularly challenges attitudes towards age and gender roles with acclaimed intergenerational works, presented in theatres and festivals around the world.
In Dragons Eun-Me Ahn includes assorted young Asians (from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan) as guest performers. All born in 2000 – a Year of the Dragon – they appear as holograms who share their fresh perspectives on how the past and the future can coexist. Technological wizardry sees them interact on the stage with Eun-Me Ahn and her company of seven South Korean dancers.
The opening night of Dragons includes a post-show Q&A (free for ticket holders).
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, with no interval.
Contains strobe lighting, sudden light changes and haze.
Age guidance: 8+
Eun-Me Ahn Dance Company’s Dragons is at Milton Keynes Theatre on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 March.
Georgina Butler is an editor, a dance writer and a ballet teacher. Visit https://georginabutler.co.uk and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @GeorginaLButler and Instagram @glbdancewriter
