The Rite Of Spring / Petrushka

The two halves of Michael Keegan-Dolan’s thrilling dance theatre double bill are a contrast in light and dark that mirrors the Stravinsky music of the same name. The imagery in The Rite of Spring is dark, shocking, violent and sexual. The rhythmic elements of the music are played out in scenes of a pagan fertility rite, as age is sacrificed and mother earth is worshipped.

By contrast Petrushka is white and bright and light. Elements of folk dances and warmer days are conjured as couples dance for approval from their ancestors. An echo of Petrushka the puppet is there too!

Rite is about dark elemental forces, about power and violence while Petrushka is about aspiration, salvation and spiritual enlightenment. Performed by an international cast of 13, both works are theatrical interpretations of the original music that created such outrage and excitement in the early 20th century.

Age suitability 16+. Contains nudity, sexual imagery and smoking.