Rambert is bringing their show KISMET to the Festival Theatre, 3-5 July. It includes the world premiere of Gallery of Consequence choreographed by Emma Evelein, which is set in an airport. It also features B.R.I.S.A by legendary choreographer Johan Inger – a piece inspired by wind, which includes leaf blowers! Get your tickets here.
We sat down with Emma Evelein to talk all things Gallery of Consequence.
Emma, Gallery of Consequence is your first commission for a UK stage. What was it like creating this new work for Rambert, and what drew you to the idea of setting it in an airport? The title itself is very evocative. Can you tell us a bit about what that means within the piece?
I felt completely at home at Rambert. I got space, freedom and tools to create a work that feels authentic and personal to me. The dancers are incredible movers, artists, technical but free-spirited and practiced movement artists with a great work ethic. They know how to be in an ensemble and how to take you on a personal journey when in solo parts. Gallery of consequence is a story about humanity and our vulnerability, the airport for me symbolises our journey in life. We go through stages that everyone essentially is passing, but all in our own way. During this journey we meet others, leave things and people behind, or perhaps they stay. Everything changes constantly, but transitioning to the next stage stays the same. It’s a perfect arena to amplify what makes us unique, which is our characteristics combined with our individual experiences. Whether our journeys and experiences are coincidences or was already in the cards for us, is based on our views. But one thing is for sure, decisions and initiatives result in its consequences.
You’ve created award-winning work across both film and live performance. What excites you most about working in each medium, and how do they inform one another in your choreography?
What excites me a lot with live performance is that you can feel the direct contact with the audience as it is happening, as well as the creation period in the studio. Everything happens within that moment in time, and with that we can be playful, and slightly change and challenge based on each unique performance. With film, you can direct the audience’s eye much more, and place a lot of meaning and dramaturgy in how the work is viewed and perceived. However, both teach me (also for each other), how to play with montage and edit. The challenge is to create a rich and varied collection of scenes with different characteristics, not only to keep the dynamic but also amplify different angles of the same subject and story. In both, I also use sound design to expand the world within the work.
You’ve worked with companies and students all over the world, and taught in more than 20 countries. How has that global perspective shaped your voice as a choreographer?
Teaching and working with dancers all over the world has taught me about our collective importance for artists and audiences. Every country has its own unique culture, but dance and art are important, whether they’re very present and accepted in the society or not as much. It’s filled with expression, the search for truth, connection and human beings that express themselves naturally with physicality, next to only their voice and intelligence. And that who you are and what you wish for in the world is a powerful tool, and I always hope to amplify that, no matter the nature of the work I’m creating or class I’m leading.
You’re known for exploring emotional depth and narrative through physicality. What feelings or questions do you hope audiences walk away with after seeing Gallery of Consequence?
If I can wish for anything, it would be a feeling of recognition. The hope to be found in the reminder that we all go through our own stages, challenges and obstacles. That makes us who we are and there is endless beauty inside of that. Next to that, to be moved, to have a laugh and to watch some beautiful movements performed by outstanding artists.
If you had to describe Gallery of Consequence in just three words, what would they be?
Honest, captivating, musicality