PAST CREATIONS

An exploration of the primitive human tendency to righteous cruelty.
The movement, dramatic and unfamiliar, generated directly out of the narrative and its extreme, conflicted emotions. Death by stoning as a powerful image to help us recognize that, if we are part of a society which endorses capital punishment, we must acknowledge responsibility—whether we literally hurl the fatal rock or not.

thrOwn unfolds in three parts:
• Opening sequence— a married woman in a highly traditional society caught in adultery, arrested, and thrown in prison.
• Middle section—widening out the context, away from immediate story. Grotesque depictions of the various ways our own modern society puts people to death in the name of justice. The question: “What is just punishment?”
• Final section—return to the original story. The harrowing fate of the convicted woman played out, as she is sentenced to be flogged while her son watches, and to death by stoning.

In thrOwn, the protagonist is the only role that remains constant. The characters of the other dancers change throughout the piece, as they become in turn mother, husband, lover, son; comforter, accuser, jailor, executioner.

 

“thrOwn” addresses social transgression and punishment, and is the weightiest and most somber piece on the program.

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times

its appealing elements: most notably the stunning earth-toned set by artist Steve Jensen. Christine Joly de Lotbiniere’s costumes enhance the look and feel of an unspecified Middle Eastern setting and Michael Mazzola’s dramatic lighting seamlessly turns the spaces from a desert environment to a prison to the American West. The five dancers — Eames, Postlewaite, Bartee, Tory Peil (formerly of Spectrum Dance Theatre), and Jim Kent — execute Wevers’ gnarled movements with technical precision and make for a well-unified ensemble.

 Alice Kaderlan, Crosscut

The whole thing is framed by Steve Jensen’s stunning sets; a huge swirl sweeps across the floor and the burnt orange hues evoke a dusty desert land, totally immersing the audience in this microcosm of drama.

 Mariko Nagashima, Seattle Dances

thrOwn

Premiere

January 20, 2012
Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center

Choreography

Olivier Wevers

Music

Axiom of Choice, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Ramin Rahimi, Ty Alexander Cheng, Vas,  Wuji

Costumes

Christine Joly de Lotbiniere

Lighting

Michael Mazzola