The River

The River was perform in and around the Briggait in Glasgow on the 20th and 21st July 2014 as part of the Festival 2014.

This is the story of flow and memories told through dance, live music and song. The 150 strong cast, comprising of a choir, choral ensemble, musicians and dancers, take you on an emotional journey, the excitement of starting a new live, tinged with the pain of goodbyes. Just as a river replenishes itself, so does the culture of the city built alongside it. The River celebrates the creation of this vibrant community. Join us as we journey alongside the Clyde celebrating the River’s stories.

The River is created and performed by Barrowland Ballet’s professional ensemble, alongside a large community cast of dancers and choirs and professional musicians from across Scotland; under the artistic direction of Natasha Gilmore and in partnership with East London Dance.

Choreographer/ Director
Natasha Gilmore

Associate Artist
Candice Edmunds

Performers
Jade Adamson, Chrissie Ardill, Kai-Wen Chuang, Hailey Earlam, Salma Faraji, Lorraine Jamieson, Natalie Trewinnard, Vince Virr

Musical Director
Quee MacArthur

Musicians
Marcus Britton, Matt Clements, George Gillespie, Tom Pickles

Production Manager
Camilla O’Neill

Reviews

Mary Brennan’s ★★★★ review in THE HERALD (22 July 2014):
‘Natasha Gilmore’s deftly choreographed promenade’
‘a blissful, Pied-Piper moment’
‘mass of resoundingly fine voices’
a collage of evocative images that touch on the river as a metaphor for life, as well as an arterial connection between cultures’
‘Quee MacArthur’s score is a joyful amalgum of world rhythms’
‘A very bouncy bunch of oldsters gets bootylicious to Bob Marley’s Concrete Jungle’

David Pollock’s ★★★★ review in THE SCOTSMAN (21 July 2014): ‘Natasha Gilmore’s choreography built in intensity wonderfully, and by the point of the mass-participatory finale, beaming smiles and damp eyes weren’t in short supply.’

Kelly Apter in THE SCOTSMAN: http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/theatre-comedy-dance/how-the-river-brought-tears-to-its-cast-1-3482150

A ★★★★★ review in THE PUBLIC REVIEW: ‘It will send you back onto the streets with joy in your heart and a spring in your step and a renewed pride in this wonderful place.’: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-river-the-briggait-glasgow/