The Misunderstanding of Myrrha

Junk Ensemble collaborate with acclaimed visual artist Alice Maher for their new work The Misunderstanding of Myrrha, which reawakens the tale of Myrrha from ancient Greek mythology and Ovid.

From Aphrodite’s curse, Myrrha fell in love with her father and became pregnant with his child, named Adonis. Fleeing Arabia, Myrrha begged the gods to take pity on her and she was transformed from her human form into a myrrh tree. The sap that falls from the tree are Myrrha’s tears of shame and sadness.

This tale of transformation from female into hybrid form will be re-imagined so that Myrrha’s story is finally told by a woman - we hear it through Myrrha’s once muted voice. Presented through intricate choreography, text, music and a stunning visual design by Alice Maher, the solo dance work cycles through the tragedy of Myrrha’s curse, the acceptance of her fate, and the hope that is unearthed from the trauma. Myrrha’s existence becomes a thing of beauty as she spits out her fate and declares herself a new being: beyond woman, man or tree.

Current Project Arts Centre Associate Artists and previous Artists-in-Residence at The Tate, Junk Ensemble is a multi-award winning company that has built a reputation as one of Ireland’s leading voices in dance - creating brave and imaginative work that sheds light on important human issues relevant to society today.

Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland | An Chomhairle Ealaion Arts Grant Fund and Dublin City Council. Commissioned by Dublin Dance Festival and supported by Mermaid Arts Centre, Dance Ireland, Project Arts Centre and Shawbrook LD Dance Trust.

Creation: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, Alice Maher

Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy

Choreography created in collaboration with performer Julie Keonig

Scenography and Costume Design: Alice Maher

Lighting Design: Stephen Dodd

Composition: Denis Clohessy

Performer: Julie Koenig

Design Construction: Ger Glancy

Producer: Gwen Van Spijk

Photographer: Fionn McCann