QWERIN
Charged with Joy, QWERIN is inspired by the weaving and flowing patterns of traditional Welsh folk-dancing, combined with the pulsating energy of Queer nightlife. QWERIN comments on notions of Queerness and Welshness through a contemporary dance performance celebrating culture, identity and community. To an original soundtrack by some of Wales’ most renowned musicians and costumes that give a new edge to the Welsh traditional dress, QWERIN truly is a feast for all senses.
QWERIN was created in 2021 as a commission from Articulture and the Wales Outdoor Art Consortium and was developed into a full-length work in 2022 with funding support from Arts Council Wales and additional support from the National Dance Company of Wales.
QwerIN exists in 3 forms
Qwerin (bach)
‘Qwerin (bach)’ is the original version created in 2021 for 3 performers.
Upcoming Performances:
1/5 - Cragen Beca, Carmarthen
21/5 - Gwyl Fach y Fro, Barry Island
4/6 - Wye Valley River Festival,
Ross on Wye
19/6 - Tafwyl, Cardiff Castle
16/7 - Powys Pride, Llandrindod
17 + 18/9 - Out There Festival, Great Yarmouth
24/9 - Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon
QWERIN
QWERIN is the fully realised version of the work. It’s a piece for 6 performers. A live musician interjects synthesised sounds and layered instrumental tracks as the piece unfolds. Based on the same principles and structures as ‘Qwerin (bach)’, QWERIN is the fullest version of the work.
Upcoming Performances:
19 + 20/8 - Greenman Festival
10/9 - Pontio, Bangor
11/9 - Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Qwerin - Promenade
With the costumes being incredibly conceptual, detailed and strikingly beautiful, the Qwerin concept can also be presented as a walkabout performance for festivals and outdoor events. This involves interacting with the crowd through a mixture of folk and club dancing. The dancers perform small vignettes of the show as they weave and wander amongst the crowd. Audience members can participate by wearing one of our giant hats or responding to the performance ad lib.
Photo / Llun: Sioned Birchall Performers / Perfformwyr: Cêt Haf, Elan Elidyr, Osian Meilir
Performers / Perfformwyr: Cêt Haf, Elan Elidyr, Osian Meilir
Photo / Llun: Sophie Holland Performers / Perfformwyr: Elan Elidyr, Hanna Lyn Hughes, Osian Meilir
Photo / Llun: Sioned Birchall Performers / Perfformwyr: Cêt Haf, Elan Elidyr, Osian Meilir
CREATIVE TEAM
Director and Choreographer: Osian Meilir
Performers: Bethan Cooper, Cêt Haf, Deborah Light, Elan Elidyr, Mike Williams, Osian Meilir with Samiwel Humphreys (Shamoniks)
Design Team: Becky Davies and Amy Barrett
Music Composition: Tic Ashfield, Benjie Talbott and Shamoniks
Mentor: Marc Rees
Producer: Saoirse Anton
Film by Eddie Adamson Film and Guto Thomas
An additional thanks to Sophie Holland and Hanna Lyn Hughes for their support.
Palmant / pridd (PAVEMENT / PASTURE)
Meilir created this work for Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch in July 2018 under their ‘6x1’ programme to encourage and support young artists to create new work. This particular solo is based on the identity of a young gay man and his relationship with two very different places. Raising questions about his identity and how important is place in relation to our identity? Can we exist, and be content, in two very different places at the same time? What happens when both worlds collide? What effect does labelling within society have on us as we try to find harmony between two opposing worlds and within ourselves?
CREATIVE TEAM
Choreographer and Performer: Osian Meilir
Film / Projection by Gwenllian Llwyd
Lighting Design by Elanor Higgins
Technical Manager: Simon Lovatt
Mentor: Jeremy Turner
Photography: Elin Crowley
Photography: Elin Crowley
Photography: Elin Crowley
Photography: Elin Crowley
Performances (2018, 2019):
19/7/18 - Canolfan Arad Goch, Aberystwyth
20/3/19 - Opening Doors Festival, Aberystwyth
9/8 /19 - Mas ar y Maes, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol
MILK AND TWO SUGARS
Created as his final presentation of work for his degree at Trinity Laban in 2016, Milk and Two Sugars is a ‘trip down memory’ lane to find the similarities in our differences. Exploring the memory of home, it displays the beauty in the ordinary deeds and daily rituals, celebrating culture, tradition, and how these influence and sculpt us as individuals. It is the bringing together of people from different places and celebrating this unity.
Performers: Giulia Avino, Charlie Dunne, Blanche Jandin, Loren McKillop
Mentor: Marina Collard
Photography by Leonie Brodmann Performers: Blanche Jandin
Photography by Leonie Brodmann Performers: Loren Mckillop and Blanche Jandin
Photography by Leonie Brodmann Performers: Blanche Jandin and Loren Mckillop
Photography by Leonie Brodmann Performers: Blanche Jandin
Performances (2016):
12/5/16 - Laban Centre, Deptford
18/6/16 - Abeerance, Platform Southwark, London