Rivers of Blood [Trailer] by Sean Graham
Rivers Of Blood - Performed as well as devised by company founder/director Sean Graham, this piece is a meditation on the legacy of Conservative politician Enoch Powell's controversial speech "Rivers of Blood"(1968) via the explosive and visceral medium of UK jazz. Powell presented a warning of apocalyptic consequences for Britain if immigrants were continually allowed to settle in in large numbers. In the aftermath of events such as the Tottenham riots contemporary opinions grow either contesting or aligning with Powell’s stark anti-immigration sentiments. The piece presents a tangle of public and political commentaries shot through frantic music which ruminate on the state of race relations in this country. This forms the backdrop to a powerful solo dance performance that speaks to the deeper human turmoil seething beneath all tribalism, blame and judgement; that rages and implodes; that cowers before the unknown while straining toward it for redemption. www.fbo-dancetheatre.com www.seangraham.co.uk - Testimonials - Dr Nathalie Teitler - “Rivers of Blood offers more insight in a few minutes than most politicians/artists have managed in years. Beautifully crafted and intelligently performed it combines a range of contemporary dance styles including jazz. It demonstrates the ability of dance to speak when words have failed.” Ella Mesma, Directing Choreographer of Element Dance Company - “Sean's solo was a brave and beautiful work entering into an intelligent and thought provoking discourse. Engaging lighting, enthralling dancing and an important message. You need to see this work.” Ana Peralta - “Dance piece by Sean Graham Rivers of blood, my personal highlight of the 1st night [at Melanin Box, Bussey Centre] deconstructed the history of riots in Britain, with a soundtrack of underground jazz entwined with speeches by prominent British figureheads such as Enoch Powell, David Lammy and Diane Abbott. Graham’s movement unravelled to an emotional crescendo- powerful given the juxtaposition of the speeches.”
