Enter an exquisite and fantastical world as the astonishing Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan return to Dublin Dance Festival and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre to open Dublin Dance festival’s 2024 Edition.
13 Tongues brings to life Artistic Director CHENG Tsung-lung’s cherished childhood memories of the sights, sounds and vitality of Taipei’s historic Bangka district. Cheng’s inspiration stems from his mother’s tales of “Thirteen Tongues,” the renowned 1960s street artist and storyteller, who masterfully conjured up Bangka’s many characters in his vivid performances.
Beginning and ending with the sound of a single hand bell, the evocative musical score interweaves Taiwanese folk songs, Taoist chant, and electronica to bring us on a journey from the ancient to the contemporary. Amidst light projections of brilliant colours, shapes, and images, the Cloud Gate dancers perform with astounding control, fluidity and grace. Together, they create an immersive and exhilarating representation of Bangka’s bustling street life, bridging generations of behaviours and beliefs.
