This Is It | 8 Dance Portraits
Traditionally, the worth of a dancer's career has been measured by time spent in the limelight. Yet a dancer’s experience of their career extends beyond the stage. It influences the personal, the mundane and the philosophical. This is it, a collection of multimedia portraits by dance artist and director Laura Murphy, expands our understanding of dance beyond traditional structures into the personal realm.
Collaborating with filmmaker Pato Cassinoni, animator Alan Early and composer Irene Buckley, Murphy presents an innovative and multifaceted exploration of eight women in dance in Ireland: Jean Butler, Alicia Christofi Walshe, Lisa Cliffe, Finola Cronin, Joan Davis, Katherine O'Malley, Mary Nunan and Angie Smalis.
This is it challenges conventional views on dance and success. The portraits reveal the unspoken values that are often difficult to articulate and easy to forget, creating a unique living archive of untold stories of dance.
‘Joan Davis, the veteran dancer and pioneer of contemporary dance in Ireland, says with conviction, 'I was a dancer, and I still am." The words are spoken as part of Laura Murphy's textured, understated 'This Is It: 8 Portraits...Eight Irish women dancers and performers are interviewed or talked about, off camera, about what it is they do and why, analysing and reflecting on immersiveness, process, discipline, improvisation and dedication.’
★★★★ Seona MacReamoinn | The Irish Times | 2024
Credits
Director & Choreographer: Laura Murphy
Filmmaker & Editor: Pato Cassinoni
Animator: Alan Early
Music & Sound: Irene Buckley
Sound Mix: Cormac O’Connor
Text Editor: Laura Murphy with Stephen Collins, Niamh Prior
Portrait Subjects & Performers: Jean Butler, Alicia Christofi Walshe, Lisa Cliffe, Finola Cronin, Joan Davis, Mary Nunan, Katherine O'Malley and Angie Smalis.
Additional Voices: Orestis Smalis Ludwig Smalis, Melios Smalis, Elli Smalis, Thiseas Smalis
Dancers Marion Cronin, Siobhán Ní Dhuinnín and Sarah Ryan.
Research Dancer: Robyn Byrne
Advisors: Colin Dunne, Jools Gilson, Stephen O'Connell
Costume: Toni Bailey
Lighting Design: Hanan Sheedy
PR/Communications Consultant: Stephanie Dickenson
Producer: Kristyn Fontanella | Little Fountain Productions, Laura Murphy
Associate Producer: Once Off Productions
Funded by The Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Created in association with Dance Ireland, Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Galway Dance, Mermaid Arts Centre, CoisCéim Dance Theatre, Dance Limerick and Joan Davis | Gorse Hill.
Special thanks to all the artists, friends and family for their time and commitment to this project.