Liam Ó Maonlaí’s first solo album Rian is still to this day a force to be reckoned with. The album title translates as trace or mark in gaeilge and features a collection of traditional tunes and songs in Irish that resonate with Liam’s own childhood. In many respects this album began a new musical journey for Liam and is for me a greater monolith than any musical work prior…including Hothouse Flowers.
Liam has now taken that album on a further journey: to the stage as a thrilling dance-gig that sees contemporary dancers perform alongside a live band. The production recently received a Bessie award for Outstanding Production.
You now have a chance to see the Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre, described by The Times as “one of the most daring and highly original dance theatre companies in the world” perform to Rian at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London on 20 & 21 June 2014.
Choreographer and founding director of Fabulous Beast Michael Keegan-Dolan is a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, and has established a reputation for his dynamic and innovative approach to theatre. This is hailed as one of his most celebrated works
A moving and uplifting experience, Rian sees Keegan-Dolan and the cast of eight dancers and five musicians tap into Irish traditions with influences from faraway places to evoke a timeless vision of the real indescribable nature of things. Set to Ó Maonlaí’s beautiful score, which mixes Irish sounds with elements of world music, Rian “has a shared, spontaneous warmth…It really does feel like a party on stage” (The Independent).
Our Song of the Day is Na Connerys, from the album Rian