Described as “a monumental piece possessing the atmosphere of a heart-pounding rock show,” internationally acclaimed Hofesh Shechter Company presents its first full-length work, Political Mother, at the NAC Theatre on Friday November 9 and Saturday November 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Political Mother features eleven highly athletic dancers and a live band of seven musicians onstage. A trained musician and former rock drummer, Hofesh Shechter also composed the hard-driving score.

ABOUT POLITICAL MOTHER

Political Mother premiered in 2010 and is an apocalyptic piece brimming with the Israeli-born, London-based Hofesh Shechter's trademark emotional complexity. Regarding the unusual title and themes of Political Mother, Hofesh Shechter stated in 2010 while he was planning the piece, "I started to think about neediness, both in our intimate lives and also in our relationships with our country; the sense of belonging, our nationalism. There is something very needy and quite pathetic about us… I was thinking about these emotional ties – with our parents, mother earth, our founding fathers. As I continued to think about this, the idea of a connection between something political and something warm and cozy seemed impossible. But also very interesting to me. The words 'political' and 'mother'… the title made me smile. These two conflicting worlds."

 

Political Mother creates an atmosphere of contemporary dance with a heart-pounding rock score by fusing raw physicality and powerful images. Expect to see bold, blazing movement; iconic, stamping, folk-influenced choreography, a blur of energy and intensity, and hear pulsating music. Martial-looking percussionists, live guitarists, and a roaring political rally lead to startling and shocking events that challenge our perceptions of what is "normal." Political Mother is 1 hour, 10 minutes, with no intermission. Political Mother contains moments of loud music and 30 seconds of strobe effects.

 

ABOUT HOFESH SHECHTER

Winner of the Critic’s Circle National Dance Award for Best Choreography (modern) for In your rooms in 2008, Hofesh Shechter, recognized as both a choreographer and composer, was described as “a true original” by The Guardian's Judith Mackrell. Mr. Shechter is an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells Theatre and the Hofesh Shechter Company is Resident Company at Brighton Dome, a multi-disciplinary arts venue in Brighton, England. Hofesh Shechter graduated from the Jerusalem Academy for Dance and Music before joining Tel Aviv's acclaimed Batsheva Dance Company. In 2009, Hofesh created The Choreographer’s Cut and The Art of Not Looking Back. He has been commissioned in the UK by Bare Bones Dance Company, Edge, Verve, StopGAP Dance Company, Scottish Dance Theatre, CandoCo and Dance United.

 

Post-Performance chat
Opening Night. Friday, Nov. 9, 2012

  Join Bruno Guillore, Rehearsal Director after the show on Friday, Nov 9th for a special post-performance chat to share your experience of the performance. The 20 minute chat will take place in the theatre right after the show.

 "This is one angry piece, delivered like a roar of defiance in the face of an omnipotent, malevolent force. It's visceral, painful and very very exciting."
Debra Craine, The Times (London), May 2010

 

"Throughout, like a crazy film director with a twitchy “edit” finger, Shechter whisks us between different (oppressed) worlds and societies, groups and couples, states of mind and even styles of music. Part dance show, part heavy-rock gig, Political Mother is a marvel of son et lumière, as ambitious and as heads-down, hair-prickingly exhilarating as modern dance gets."
Mark Monahan, The Telegraph (London), May 2010

"In Political Mother, Shechter returns to his most characteristic theme, puzzling over the mechanisms of state and society ... Shechter dares us to rethink the history of the world."
Judith Mackrell, The Guardian (London), May 2010

• Hofesh Shechter Company performs Political Mother in the Theatre of the National Arts Centre on Friday November 9 and Saturday November 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $38, $47, and $51 for adults and $20.50, $25, and $27 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).
• Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person); tickets are also available (with service charges) at all Ticketmaster outlets, by telephone from Ticketmaster at 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS), and online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC's website at www.nac-cna.ca
• Subject to availability, full-time students (aged 13-29) with valid Trinity Live Rush™ membership may buy up to 2 tickets per performance at the discount price of $12 per ticket. Tickets are available online (www.nac-cna.ca) or at the NAC box office from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the show. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house. Check out liverush.ca for information on the Trinity Live Rush program.
• Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices. To reserve your seats, call 613 947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca
• For additional information and photos/video of the production, visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca

NAC Dance Master class with Artists from Hofesh Shechter Company

This Hofesh Shechter Company workshop will be based on Shechter’s distinctive and urban choreography. Led by members of the Company; Frédéric Despierre, Edouard Hue and Merel Lammers. Drawing on Shechter’s own specific technique, workshop leaders will help participants find their way into this young company’s edgy style.

·         Saturday, November 10th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

·         The class is for pre-professional-advanced level ballet / modern students and dancers

·         (Aged 16 and up). 20 participants maximum

·         Location:  Rehearsal Hall B, National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa (Enter by Stage Door).

·         Cost: $25

 

As space is limited, registration in advance is requested. Contact Kirsten Andersen, Dance Outreach Coordinator kirsten.andersen@nac-cna.ca or Tel: 613-947-7000 ext 588 to reserve.

 — 30 —

Information:
Clara Wicke, Marketing and Communications Officer, NAC Dance
613-947-7000, ext. 379 Cell: 613-617-4782
clara.wicke@nac-cna.ca