The Meal brings an international flavour

From the financial crisis in Greece, to the uprising in Tahrir Square, some of the world’s most recent socio-political events are the inspiration behind an exciting new piece of dance theatre which will perform at the Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena on June 27 as part of a tour of Northern Ireland.

Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre has brought together artists and social commentators from across Europe and the Middle East in exciting and challenging physical theatre performance The Meal which explores differing opinions and experiences through the unifying act of sitting down together to eat.

The Meal sees four performers (Jenny Ecke, David Ogle, Vasiliki Stasinaki and Dylan Quinn) physically and virtually indulge in a rich mix of food, movement and conversation.

Amongst the performers are a child of East Germany and a Greek dancer, but unseen collaborators include an Egyptian writer and activist and a Palestinian artist.

Throughout the course of The Meal a range of issues are explored in relation to the social and political changes that the people involved have witnessed and lived through.

Award-winning Egyptian columnist and political activist Mona Eltahawy has shared her experiences for the project and provided video footage, which will feature in the performance.

A Liberal, Muslim feminist, Mona was arrested in Cairo whilst covering the Tahrir Square uprising and was physically and sexually assaulted by police whilst in custody. Mona is a speaker, writer and commentator worldwide on human rights, feminism and Egyptian Muslim-Christian relations.

Another collaborator is Dina Matar a Palestinian artist based in Gaza. A female artist working in a repressed society, Dina’s vividly colourful and vibrant work comments on the challenging and harsh reality of her environment, but depicts it from a perspective that is full of hope and optimism.

Her work has exhibited widely in the Middle East, France, Switzerland and the UK but The Meal is the first time it will be seen in Northern Ireland.

Dina said: “I loved being able to participate in The Meal. One of my paintings will appear on the table itself, and so I feel in some special way I will be present in the performance despite the actual physical distance.

“I am very happy to be part of the joy that art can bring.”

Speaking about the production, Choreographer and Artistic Director Dylan Quinn said: “The Meal is providing us with a wonderful opportunity to share our experiences of past and present issues of social and political change within our own lives.

“As artists working now it is exciting and inspiring to be in contact with others seeking change in their communities. I am delighted to be working with artists I know and trust in developing this new dance performance.

“For the first time Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre is working with Emma Jordan from Belfast-based Prime Cut Productions.

“Having such a well respected and influential theatre professional on board will give an added dimension to this production which combines dance, theatre, music, visual art, spoken word and video installation. We hope to provoke, question, stimulate and inspire.”

The Meal is at The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena on Thursday, June 27 at 8pm. Tickets are £10 (£6 concession). For tickets visit www.thebraid.com or call the Box Office on 028 25635 900.

The Meal has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.