Touching Tramway Tongues

Like many Scottish choreographers, Norman Douglas has found as much acclaim in Europe as in his homeland: his work appeared at The Royal Opera House in London and he has been the Artistic Consultant for Germany's Leipzig Tanz Theatre. He returns to Scotland, having most recently been sighted in the Gorbals working on a large scale community history piece, with three works, including two solos and music from Alfred Schnittke. Douglas’ work emerges from profound intelligence – Chora developed from Plato’s conception of the source for creativity, while another, Say It’s Not True, explores the last year of artist Camille Claudel. Not only are his works eloquently poetic, they reveal dance as the perfect vehicle for abstract ideas, without losing a wry humour. Throughout this triple bill, Douglas returns to consider how the individual survives trauma – the duet of Chora, a world premiere, sees two dancers symbolise the battle of the divided self. Douglas’ own solo, Touching Tongues, delves into the uncomfortable mind of a man and his closest love, a teddy bear. What makes this programme so vital is the energy and intellect that drives them into difficult territory, beyond language and where the body becomes fluid and expressive. It is also a celebration of a home-grown artist who proves the international importance of Scotland. [Margaret Kirk]