Back in November I wrote about some dance rehearsals and workshops I had been documenting for ‘If I Could Reach Home’. It was clear from the outset that something beautiful and vital was emerging.
The final performance certainly lived up to that early promise. The result of the poetry workshops, dance rehearsals and careful choreography was a piece which showcased the beauty of classical Indian dance forms alongside the horror and heartbreak of modern day migration. As so many of us struggle not to become desensitised to the human suffering on Europe’s shores, this was a very human and real response.
Here is the film which documents the evolution of the project and which gives a few tantalising snapshots of the full performance. I will be sharing those soon, so do check back if this whets your appetite! For more information on Magdalen Gorringe’s work, including performance, choreography and her research work into Indian Dance forms in Britain, have a look at her website.