
'LAID IN EARTH' | ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET
Directed by Thomas James
Choreography | Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
The earth and the underworld intertwine and overlap in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s “torn apart” quartet, Laid in Earth, interpreted for screen in director Thomas James’s ethereal film, a surreal blending of fluid choreography and an eerie other-worldly aesthetic.
Laid in Earth is set to Purcell’s famous aria from Dido and Aeneas – sung by mezzo soprano Flora McIntosh — as well as new electronic music by composer and multi-instrumentalist Olga Wojciechowska, a long-time collaborator of Cherkaoui.
“Cherkaoui’s sensuous choreography has a slowly mesmeric rise and fall while Purcell’s Dido’s Lament seals the sombre tone.”
The Times
“A gothic tale of death and decay, evocatively filmed.”
The Observer
“This is a wholly realised work – neither filmed ballet, nor ballet film but something other.”
The Stage
“A haunting work.”
Culture Whisper
Produced by OB Management Producers | Benedict Turnbull & Chanel Parkinson
Cinematography |Evelin van Rei
Assistant Choreographer @jasonkittelberger
1st AD | @tyyhack
Make Up & SFX | Natasha Lawes & her team
Dancers | @jeffreycirio @preciousagram
@erinatakahashi_ & @streeter.james