'LAID IN EARTH' | ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET

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Directed by Thomas James

Choreography | Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

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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

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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

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Dancers |  @jeffreycirio @preciousagram
@erinatakahashi_ & @streeter.james

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