Following a successful career across Canada and Europe, Co Armagh ballet dancer Leigh Alderson is set to return home to perform in White Doves, a new ballet inspired by the historic events of summer 1976.
Gazing back on our past to look towards the future, White Doves tells the story of the first march for peace and the formation of the Peace People in 1976.
The first new ballet created by local artists for a Belfast stage with Belfast at the centre of its story, the ballet is a collaboration for Six Dance Collective between Moneymore choreographer Ruaidhrí Maguire and Donaghadee composer Amelia Clarkson.
A mesh of abstract and narrative storytelling, Maguire’s choreography weaves moments from history together with two lead ‘doves’ when the ballet takes to the stage of Belfast’s MAC from August 3 – 5.
“At this point in my career, working on new choreography is one of the most exciting parts of being a dancer. Performing in White Doves brings both physical demands and the emotional aspects of dancing, a work created about Northern Ireland. It’s an important moment for me to dance this home-grown story on a Belfast stage,” says Leigh.
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Beginning his career at Scottish Ballet, Leigh has worked with several esteemed companies and prolific choreographers, including Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada and Grands Ballets Canadiens, performing in works by Didy Veldman and Jiří Kyliáns.
Later, he joined Matthew Bourne’s company New Adventures to perform Swan Lake and most recently worked for The Royal Ballet Fehervar before joining his current position as soloist in Ballett Theatre Nordhausen in Germany.
Maguire is delighted to have Alderson join the cast. “Leigh paved the way for ballet dancers from Northern Ireland, especially for men and boys in dance. I founded Six Dance Collective to champion local artists and local stories, and what better way to prove ballet is a viable artform here than with a performer of Leigh’s calibre on stage,” he enthuses.
Dancing across from Alderson, is Italian-Scots dancer Danila Marzilli. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and finalist of BBC Young Dancer 2019, Danila is currently with the Baltic Opera Ballet of Gdansk.
“I am so looking forward to my Northern Ireland debut with Six Dance Collective’s new work. I am especially excited to be collaborating with the inspiring artists involved in the process in this new environment. I’m really delighted and grateful to be part of this new ballet,” says Danila.
Maguire founded Six Dance Collective to develop the future of ballet across the island and bring contemporary stories to audiences through dance and music, whilst also giving aspiring performers access to high quality training. The production, which features a two-act score performed live by an ensemble of classical musicians, also provides the opportunity for a junior company of 28 aspiring local dancers to work side-by-side on stage with professionals Marzilli and Alderson.
The pre-professionals will take on roles including Peace People founders Mairead Corrigan, Betty Williams and Ciaran McKeown, and the wider Belfast community.
White Doves runs for four performances at the MAC from 3-5 August 2023, with a Q&A on August 4 with the creative team and principal dancers. Tickets are available now at themaclive.com/event/white-doves-a-new-ballet
