Fabulous beast
Artistic direction: Michael Keegan-Dolan
Creation: 1997
Described as ‘one of the most daring and highly original dance theatre companies in the world’ (The Times), Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre is an international ensemble based in County Longford, Ireland, led by Artistic Director Michael Keegan-Dolan.
Most recent work is a new Stravinsky double bill, « The Rite of Spring & Petrushka » (co-production with Sadler’s Wells). A re-imagining of Michael Keegan-Dolan’s Olivier-nominated version of « The Rite of Spring », which premiered to critical acclaim at the London Coliseum in 2009, is accompanied by a new interpretation of « Petrushka », creating an enthralling double bill of dance theatre.
In « Rian », eight dancers from around the world and four of Ireland’s top musicians unite with Michael Keegan-Dolan and Liam Ó Maonlaí to create an expressive cultural hybrid. « Rian » taps into healthy life-enhancing traditions with influences from faraway places to evoke a timeless vision of the real indescribable nature of things.
Other recent Fabulous Beast work includes « Julius Caesar » (2012), directed and choreographed by Michael Keegan-Dolan, a co-production with English National Opera, and « Helen + Hell » (2010).
Fabulous Beast is also known for several ground-breaking and controversial productions, delivered in a unique style blending narrative and physical theatre, dance, and song and set in the Irish Midlands. These include two more Olivier Award-nominated productions, « Giselle » (2003) and « The Bull » (2005), and also « James Son of James » (2007), which were co-produced with the Dublin Theatre Festival and bite at the Barbican Centre (London), of which Fabulous Beast was an Artistic Associate. Fabulous Beast’s productions prior to « Giselle » are: « Sunday Lunch » (1997), « Fragile » (1999), « The Flowerbed » (2000), and « The Christmas Show » (2001).
In 2014, the company has been dissolved.
Source: Fabulous Beast ‘s website
