‘Why?’ is both a tender and exhilarating aerial duet exploring themes of life, loss, surrender and acceptance in a soft and moving way.
The piece offers a visceral experience for its audiences that not only legitimises the emotional one but creates space for the viewer to bring their own understanding to it, triggering a resonance, not dictating their experience.
Performed in two parts, ‘Why?’ uses climbing harnesses and abseil lines to dance on a bespoke free-standing wall – ‘vertical dance’.
In light of the recent pandemic and a collective grieving, ‘Why?’ feels more relevant than ever. How do we each pass through these experiences and how do these experiences pass through, affect and change us?
Content Warning: This performance considers themes of life, loss, surrender and acceptance in a soft, moving way.
Performers Lindsey Butcher & Lee Clayden
Choreographer Fin Walker
Composer Ben Park
Writer Ed Harris
Design Steel the Scene
Lighting Design Lucy Carter
Costumes Original Ben Maher, Re-worked by Holly Murray Actors Nick Holder
& Ricky Butt
Production Manager Lee Kennedy
Award-winning company Gravity & Levity was launched in 2003 by Artistic Director,
Lindsey Butcher, to explore the creative and expressive potential of applying a
dance aesthetic to aerial suspension techniques, through artistic development,
teaching and live productions.