To mark the launch of Perth 800, the Fair City welcomes Off Kilter - a feisty and fabulous celebration of dance and music styles alive and kicking in Scotland today. This impressive show was the centrepiece of Edinburgh's Hogmanay cultural celebrations and kicks off at Perth Concert Hall on 21 and 22 January.
These performances to launch Perth 800 are the first of a year long programme of events which will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King William the Lion of Scotland in 1210.
Artistic director Morag Deyes has gathered together world class choreographers, dancers, musicians and visual artists, including renowned Scottish painter and illustrator John Byrne, to produce a scintillating evening's entertainment combining traditional Highland, hip-hop, Indian classical and contemporary styles.
The show, which received excellent reviews when it opened in Edinburgh, includes new, specially commissioned work by New York choreographer Mark Morris, performed by dancers from his own company, to the musical backdrop of Beethoven's Scottish Songs sung live on stage by opera singer Mhairi Lawson. She is joined by a stellar line-up of folk, classical and jazz musicians including Martin Green from Lau, Fraser Fifield, Dave Milligan and Tom Bancroft, who has composed original music for the show.
Artistic director of Scottish Ballet Ashley Page has also created a new piece especially for Off Kilter. Three dancers will perform to a series of short songs by cult superstar Ivor Cutler in a musical, funny and intricately choreographed piece.
The exhilarating range of work includes Ihayami, a new work based on South Indian classical dance set to Scottish traditional music with Indian influences. Other highlights include atmospheric aerial dance, Half Light, a comic dance tribute to Thingummyjig and The White Heather Club in Scots Wi Hay and Small Street, a solo created by Scottish Dance Theatre's Janet Smith and set to the Martyn Bennett track Nae Regrets.
The spectacular finale includes the full cast and features an exhilarating new dance anthem for Scotland mixed by DJ Dolphinboy, encompassing an astonishing range of music including Franz Ferdinand, The Rezillos and Calvin Harris.
The evening is rounded off with a mini Ceilidh as members of the audience are invited to join the performers in a Dashing White Sergeant and even a Gay Gordons.
Dance Base, Scotland's national centre for dance, Edinburgh's Hogmanay organisers Unique Events and the Festival Theatre Edinburgh have come together to create this major new production. Supported through the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund and Scottish Arts Council, following a Scottish tour, sights are firmly set on visits to North America and Australia later in the year.
Morag Deyes, Artistic Director of Dance Base, said: "Off Kilter is a riotous assembly of the great talent inspired by, and living in Scotland. This great show reflects the energy and originality in music and dance which is experiencing a genuine renaissance right now."
Off Kilter is also touring to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. For tickets for the Perth performances, contact Horsecross Box Office on 01738 621 031, or click here.