Launch Day
by on January 6, 2018 in Dance

Launch Day is a contemporary dance production by the Kelly-Abbott Dance Theatre. In collaboration with visual artist Alexander Millar, KADT explores the industrial history of the UK shipyard communities. Bringing to life Millar’s paintings of working men and the iconic characters known as “Gadgies”, Artistic Director Kristin Kelly-Abbott uses her trademark quirky dance theatre style to re-imagine Millar’s paintings and bring to the stage a visual, physical and entertaining production.

Creating movement influenced by Millar’s paintings and research undertaken with former shipyard workers from the shipbuilding industry, Launch Day is a celebration of the UK in all its industrial glory and the culture and vibrancy of these shipbuilding towns. The working man is portrayed hard at graft, but also during their social time, in the pub and at the football. Launch Day presents a glimpse into the life of the working class at a time when industry thrived and there was still a sense of immense camaraderie amongst the shipyard labour force.

With stunning large-scale projection mapping and an industrial soundtrack featuring music by Mark Knopfler and original compositions by Irish composer Breifne Holohan; Launch Day is a dynamic, entertaining and honourable show, celebrating a key UK industry that has provided life for many across the country.

Shortlisted for Performance of the Year at the Living North Awards 2016.

The show was wildly popular, drawing a standing ovation, and raucous laughter during its lighter moments.Hannah Graham, chroniclelive.co.uk, 2016

The images that Abbott has created in this performance leave this reviewer speechless.Gemma Hirst, northernlights.co.uk, 2016

This work has a strong sense of place. It’s a distinctive piece.Lyndsey Winship, Evening Standard, 2017

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Launch Day was composed and arranged by composer, Breifne Holohan. It also features music by Sergei Prokofiev, Lindisfarne and Mark Knopfler.

It’s always exciting when individual pieces of creative work come together to make something else. This project with Kristin’s dancers is inspired by painting and song and I’m delighted that some of my music is a part of it.Mark Knopfler

The soundtrack features a large number of local musicians from Kelly-Abbott and Holohan’s hometown of Drogheda including:

  • Breifne Holohan – composer/arranger/sound design/guitars/percussion/octave mandolin/harmonica
  • Grace Dillon – drums/percussion
  • Susan Connolly – flute
  • Emma Kiernan – fiddle/whistle
  • Trudy Maguire – Accordion
  • Joe Savage – Banjo
  • local participants from ‘Seisiún na nÓg’ at the Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda.

Through extensive collaboration with KADT, Holohan has created a unique, cinematic sound design for Launch Day, transporting the audience to Tyneside and immersing them in all the sights, sounds and smells of ‘gadgie’ life in the Newcastle shipyards of old.

Tour 2016

5 March
Dance City, Temple St, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
7.30pm
dancecity.co.uk

9 March
Alnwick Playhouse, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, UK
7.30pm
alnwickplayhouse.co.uk

8 April
The Maltings Theatre, Eastern Ln, Berwick-upon-Tweed, UK
7pm
maltingsberwick.co.uk

13 April
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Beaumont St, Hexham, Northumberland, UK
7.30pm
queenshall.co.uk

28 April
Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Ln, Washington, UK
7.30pm
artscentrewashington.co.uk

Tour 2018

14 February
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Beaumont St, Hexham, Northumberland, UK
7.30pm
queenshall.co.uk

21 February
The Key Theatre, Embankment Rd, Peterborough, UK
7.30pm
vivacity-peterborough.com

23 February (IRISH DATE)
Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell St, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland
8pm
droichead.com

2 March
Circomedia, St Paul’s Church, Portland Square, Bristol, UK
7.30pm
circomedia.com

14 March
Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, UK
8pm
breweryarts.co.uk

16 March
Bridport Arts Centre, 9 South St, Bridport, Dorset, UK
8pm
bridport-arts.com

24 March
Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK
7.30pm
bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk

28 March
Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields, UK
7.30pm
customshouse.co.uk

29 May
Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK
8pm
northernstage.co.uk

Links

Kelly-Abbott Dance Theatre
kellyabbottdancetheatre.co.uk
facebook.com/KADT77
@KADT_kadt

Alexander Millar
alexandermillar.com
facebook.com/AlexanderMillarPrints
@AlexanderMillar

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