Inspired by the work of medieval painter Hieronymus Bosch, Give Me a Reason to Live is a solo performance by Glasgow based choreographer Claire Cunningham that explores issues of religion, in particular religious art, and the judgment of bodies and quality of life.
As one of the UK’s most acclaimed and internationally renowned disabled artists who have been supported by Unlimited, Cunningham’s work is often rooted in the study and use/misuse of her crutches and the exploration of the potential of her own specific physicality with a conscious rejection of traditional dance techniques.
This will be her first performance in Japan.
Outline
1st stage: 18.00- Saturday 4 February (Followed by a post-performance talk)
2nd stage: 14.00- Sunday 5 February
*Running time approximately 40 minutes with no interval
*Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Reception desk opens 45 minutes before the show.
Venue
KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater (Large Studio)
281 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 231-0023
(Minatomirai Line) 5-minute walk from Nihon-Odori Station
(Minatomirai Line) 8-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station
Ticket Price (Non-reserved, Including tax)
3,000 yen (Advance / On-the-door)
*Please note pre-school children will not be admitted.
*Please contact Ticket Kanagawa in advance if you use a wheelchair.
Ticket handling
-Ticket Kanagawa
TEL:0570-015-415 (10:00−18:00)
Ticket Office: KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater / Kenmin Hall (10:00-18:00), Kanagawa Kenritsu Ongakudo (13:00-17:00 Closed on Mondays)
-Ticket Pia
TEL: 0570-02-9999 (P code:456-124)
Organised by: British Council
In partnership with: KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater
Supported by: Japan Foundation
Choreographed and Performed by: Claire Cunningham
Give Me a Reason to Live - Claire Cunningham
Claire Cunningham
Claire Cunningham is a performer and creator of multi-disciplinary performance based in Glasgow, Scotland. One of the UK’s most acclaimed and internationally renowned disabled artists, Cunningham’s work is often rooted in the study and use/misuse of her crutches and the exploration of the potential of her own specific physicality with a conscious rejection of traditional dance techniques (developed for non-disabled bodies) or the attempt to move with the pretence of a body or aesthetic other than her own. A self-identifying disabled artist, Cunningham’s work combines multiple artforms and ranges from the intimate solo show ME (Mobile/Evolution) (2009), to the large ensemble work 12 made for Candoco Dance Company. In 2014 she created a new solo: Give Me a Reason to Live, inspired by the work of Dutch medieval painter Hieronymus Bosch and the role of beggars/cripples in his work, and the full length show Guide Gods, looking at the perspectives of the major Faith traditions towards the issue of disability. She is a former Artist-in–Residence at the Women of the World Festival at the Southbank, London and of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens. In 2016 she was the Artist in Residence with Perth International Arts Festival, Australia and Associate Artist at Tramway, Glasgow, and she has recently been awarded an Unlimited Commission for a new duet, The Way You Look (at me) Tonight with choreographer Jess Curtis which has now toured in the UK, USA and Germany.