Black Diamond

 "Black Diamond" - a new sparkling performance by Tim Rushton

”In the middle of the stage stands a guardian dressed in a long black jacket. Silver dust is raining down from the sky.To the minimalistic and unsettling tones of Philip Glass, the man waits for the silvery dust to settle - and then the performance starts.” 

– Tim Rushton

Futuristic and visual worlds

With Black Diamond, Tim Rushton returns to a more conceptual and futuristic universe, where focus has been set on graphic asthetics, scenes and geometrical forms. Black Diamond is a new creation by Tim Rushton, made for Danish Dance Theatre’s 16 international dancers. The World Premiere took place  The Royal Danish Theatre’s Old Stage from the 9^th – 11^th of May 2014. This autumn the performance will be on a world tour.     

To the sounds of the composers Alexander Balanescu and Philip Glass, as well as the beat king Trentemøller, small pockets of sound are created - from fragmented and noisy to tempo-filled electronic beats to lyrical and romantic tracks.

Darkness

The audience is met by a black stage exploding with silver confetti. The stage is set. The first act of Black Diamond consists of a massive diamond shaped background – black and uneven, like a sparkling diamond. Destruction rules here ,and the scenography gives thought to a harsh landscape of aggressive volcanoes, black ash and rock walls. Dressed in futuristic black coats and geometrical garb, Rushton creates a futuristic tale about the inherent duality of everything, where both the shadowy and the light side of man are explored psychologically, scenographically and thematically.

Light

In the second act, the background changes from inky black to shining silver as the structure remains unchanged. In an organic and flowing idiom, hope is making its way out of the darkness. The dancers float across the stage in gauzy, balloon-formed creations, while small cracks of darkness try to break through the light.

Contrasting costumes

Just as the music promises contrasting worlds, we also meet: the goddess of fate in an extravagant design construction, where she spins the thread of life, militaristic men in somber coats, faceless and pure bodies plus a petrified man in a skin colored costume of crystal. All costumes are created by fashion designer, Charlotte Østergaard.

The World Premiere of Black Diamond takes place at Vejle Musikteater the 1^st  and 2^nd  of May, 2014.

Black Diamond is a collaboration between Danish Dance Theatre and its Danish as well as international partners.

Info:

Concept & Choreography: Tim Rushton 

Mucic: Trentemøller, Balanescu Quartet, Philip Glass. 

Dancers: Dansk Danseteaters Dansere

Lighting Design: Jacob Bjerregaard

Stage Design: Johan Kølkjær

Costume Design: Charlotte Østergaard