Standing Stones (2008)

Ayano Honda, Katie Keeble and Paul Wilkinson in 'Standing Stones' (2008), photograph by Jim Poyner

‘Standing Stones’ was conceived for Cathedral spaces. Jacky Lansley drew on her extensive experience of site specific work to approach these special and ancient spaces and celebrate the  magnificence of their timeless architectural landscapes through dance, visual image and music. The choreography used the beautiful Mozart Clarinet Quintet K.V.581 played live by members of the Cornish Sinfonia.

Directed and choreographed by Jacky Lansley; dancers: Daniela Ferreira, Ayano Honda, Katie Keeble, Paul Wilkinson; musicians: Dave White (Director of the Cornish Sinfonia), Jonathan Delbridge, Edward Enrico Gerber; lighting designer: Michael Mannion; costume design: Emma Hopkinson; producer: Ascendance Rep.

‘Standing Stones’ was performed in 16 cathedrals across the UK, including: York Minster and Exeter, Salibury, Wells, Glasgow, Newcastle, Bristol and Guildford Cathedrals.

Programme Notes

REVIEWS

“Lansley allows the music to sing for itself, the dancers seeming to hear and respond to it as if the clarinet were bird song and she gives it space to breathe within her movement.”
Ian Palmer, Critical Dance Review

“Standing Stones, from the Ascendance Rep company, is utterly beautiful. It reflects the texture of the magnificent architecture, the strength of the stonework and the long life of the building.
Choreographed by Jacky Lansley, Standing Stones is danced to the four movements of the Mozart Clarinet Quintet K581, which is played live by members of the Cornish Sinfonia…
The four dancers are clad is loose smocks and pants, each dancer being allocated one colour. Their movements are gentle and graceful. Motifs have a purity and sweet simplicity. Arms make a ring shape and the shape is linked and passed on. Duets are mutually supportive. Nothing is hurried, nothing too slow.
Then comes the fun. Caps are put on and pulled down to create medieval headwear. Katie Keeble disappears. The other dancers gurney, up and own the aisle, like the Minster’s gargoyles. Then a much taller Keeble comes back. She is walking with callipers which are hidden under a voluminous skirt. Much comic creativity ensues.
Pauses between the quintet movements are part of the performance. Everything is calmly done, even a break for drinks. The simple lighting, from Michael Mannion, is close to perfection.
Watching Standing Stones is an unforgettable experience.”
Kevin Berry, The Stage

“Cathedrals have demonstrated the great synthesis of art and architecture since at least the middle ages and it is a great privilege to create a choreographic work that will celebrate and be inspired by this special history.”
Jacky Lansley

More ‘Standing Stones’ review extracts