Michael Clark Recaptures The Heyday Of The Barrowlands Ballroom

For just three performances, the Michael Clark Company is taking over the Glasgow Barrowlands Ballroom for a unique performance experience.  Throughout the summer the London 2012 festival has brought exciting cultural events to the capital and beyond complimenting the Olympic Games.  The Barrowlands Project is the final event of the programme and incorporates both the MCC professional dancers and local Glaswegians.

Since rising to prominence in the 1980s, Michael Clark has pushed the boundaries of dance into the realms of theatre and visual art.  Throughout his career Clark has worked with other influential members of the artistic community including Leigh Bowery, Karole Armitage, and Charles Atlas, among others.  Known for innovative costuming and lighting, the various performances of Clark’s oeuvre challenge preconceived notions of dance.

Returning to his native Scotland, Clark has spent the summer working with dancers from the community for this special performance.  The dancers taking part in the performance range from the ages of 18-64 with different life experiences inspiring their movement and participation.  The Michael Clark Company’s performances are often challenging to view – including cutting edge choreography and touching on difficult subject matter – it is certainly no Swan Lake.  By utilizing members of the community, it is likely that this performance will be more accessible and perhaps more personable.

Not only is the performance itself looking to be an exciting event, but the location at the Glasgow Barrowlands highlights the history of culture in Scotland’s largest city.  The Barrowland Ballroom first opened in 1934 and has since seen countless music and dance performances. 

This production is supported by Creative Scotland and produced by Michael Clark Company, Glasgow Life, and Dance House Glasgow.  The Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor Archie Graham aptly remarked that, “… the Barrowlands Project is a brilliant opportunity for the people of Glasgow to get involved in the 2012 Cultural Olympiad and celebrate Glasgow as an Olympic city.”

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