A huge inflated plastic bubble fills the theatre space, we remove our shoes and are ushered in 8 at a time, told to stand, sit or move around as we please (but like most audiences, don’t budge once we decide to sit!).  The bubble is constantly being filled with air and we must enter quickly so the entrance can be zipped shut again to avoid too much deflation.

Once inside the audience huddle in small groups on the floor.  There is an air of anticipation and curiosity. Throughout the space hang white mesh sculptures moulded into the shape of body parts.  These ghost images bob up and down in the space as the air level fluctuates and the final members of the audience are let in.  Three dancers enter with them and begin to walk about the space. They appear human but there is something very alien about them at the same time.  A soundtrack with a voice begins, and the dancers are signing the words, the voice repeats itself ‘we have decided not to die’. (more…)

For the first time the beautiful church of St John the Evangelist, now a stunning concert venue, joins the Dancin’ Oxford venue line-up. The Pneûma Project is a collaboration by dance artist Miranda Tufnell, visual artist David Ward and musician Sylvia Hallett.  This engaging exploration of breath offers its audience a beautiful and immersive performance, in which movement, sound, light and visual imagery combine to evoke the poetics of breath. Moment by moment we draw on the invisible air, catch scents, sounds, messages and signals. Our lives are suffused with myths and folklore images of the life-giving potency of breath – of breath lost and regained.

Pneûma:  nju ma, noun, Philosophy, Greek = wind, breath,spirit, that which is blown or breathed

The performance features dance artists Cai Tomos, Eeva Maria Mutka, Tim Rubidge and musician Jonah Brody.

“The combination of excellent dancing and extraordinary music was intensely moving.  I can’t wait to see the full realisation of this idea.” Orlando Gough, composer

Performances:  Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th February, 7.30pm

Venue:  St John the Evangelist, Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1EH

Running time:  50 minute, no interval.  Suitable for all ages.

Tickets:  £12, £10 concessions.

Box Office Telephone:  01865 305305

or book online via Tickets Oxford here

www.dancinoxford.co.uk