A new take on an age-old quest

A MABINOGION quest to visit the oldest animals underpins Mabon by Osian Meilir, one part of a triple-bill dance production by NDCWales which will be touring the country from September.

- writes Jenny White

The production, titled Surge, features three different pieces by three different choreographers. Waltz, by Marcos Morau, showcases Moreau’s characteristic surreal touch and glittering costumes to create a dancing sea of stars. Moreau returns to work with NDCWales following his 2017 piece, Tundra.

Infinity Duet, a collaboration between choreographer Faye Tan and artist Cecile Johnson Soliz, features two dancers interacting with a swinging sculpture made by Soliz; and Mabon by Osian Meilir completes the offering, marking a new collaboration between the west Wales-born choreographer and NDCWales.

Currently based in Wales and London, Meilir is known for their joyful contemporary choreography, which draws on formative experiences in traditional Welsh dance.

"I grew up doing folk dancing at school, entering folk dance and clog dancing competitions," they say. "I remember when I was about three or four doing clog dancing competitions on stage; then I veered away from folk dancing. I kept doing it, but my focus turned to other styles of dance, particularly modern dance and contemporary dance."

They went on to complete a degree in contemporary dance at Trinity Laban, graduating in 2017, and since then have performed and created work in a variety of spaces, particularly the outdoors.

Besides working with NDCWales, Meilir has been commissioned to create new work by Articulture Wales, the National Eisteddfod and Green Man Festival in recent years.

"My early experiences of Welsh folk dancing has had a big influence on my choreographic style," they say. "I weave in steps and the patterns that I remember, and I still practise now, and also the energy of Welsh folk dancing, the energy of dancing with other people, and the sense of community that that brings, really leads into my style of choreography."