To mark 100 years since the first publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses, one of the most important works of modern literature, Solas Nua commissioned leading Irish choreographer Liz Roche and her company to create a brand-new dance piece, Yes and Yes.
The piece premiered at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C on September 9th, 2022. Another performance at the same venue on September 10th was followed by a third performance at The Mullen Center for Performing Arts at Villanova University in Philadelphia on September 13th.The piece had its Irish premiere at Project Arts Centre on Nov 11th, 2022 which included a three night sold out run.
The piece takes its title from the final episode of the book which both begins and ends with a “yes”. “. . .yes I said yes I will Yes”; the famous last words of the book, exclaimed by Molly Bloom.
Yes and Yes follows the episodes of Ulysses, suffused with curiosity, sensuality, release and resignation, and explores this in movement with four extraordinary dancers and through film, sound and design. A stellar creative team has collaborated on Yes and Yes, with an original score by Ray Harman, stage design and costumes by Katie Davenport, lighting by Davison Scandrett, film/visuals by José Miguel Jiménez, and dramaturgy by Wayne Jordan
Danced by Sarah Cerneaux, Mufutau Yusuf, Grace Cuny and Toon Theunissen.
YES AND YES by Liz Roche is a co-production between Solas Nua in Washington D.C. and Liz Roche Company in partnership with Cork Opera House. Commissioned by Solas Nua. Kindly supported by Culture Ireland, The Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Dublin City Council.
