Mayflower Theatre presents two pieces choreographed by Rodrigo Pederneiras:

Sem Mim is beautifully melancholic and is set to a 13th century Portuguese song cycle. It focuses on a group of villagers who wait anxiously on shore for the return of their fishermen. Dressed in intricately patterned bodysuits, the dancers move as waves; the ebb and flow of their bodies mimicking the calm and fury of the sea. An enormous shimmering net hangs over the stage, at times trapping the dancers in its folds.

Parabelo is inspired by life in rural Brazil. The piece was created in 1997 and features choreography full of hip swaying and feet stamping, with the dancers sweeping across the stage and moving rhythmically from group to solo and back again. It features moments of utter peace and stillness and others of raucous Brazilian carnival.

Special CultureSouthampton Offer:

Mayflower Theatre’s Chief Executive talks about bringing Grupo Corpo to the theatre:

I am delighted that we will be presenting Grupo Corpo at Mayflower Theatre for two performances on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th October at 7.30pm.

I am committed to bringing the very best international dance to Southampton and Group Corpo rise wonderfully to that challenge. The company was established 39 years ago in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, by the three brothers who are all still very much part of the group; Roderigo is the choreographer, Paulo the artistic director and Pedro is the technical director. This is a family affair and the consequent ease and familiarity is reflected in the way the dancers move on stage. They are completely at ease with one another, with the cool precision of ballet and the virtuosic sassiness of Latin American dance.

I have previously presented the company in the UK and audiences and critics alike have been completely bowled over by the sheer beauty of their dancing. This time, they’re performing two pieces. The first of these, Sem Mim, is a mesmerising ballet, based on the experiences of women left behind in fishing villages as their menfolk go out to sea. For me it is clear that the pattern of their movements reflects the ebb and flow of the sea, sometimes gentle, sometimes ferocious. The second piece,Parabelo, is a wonderful Brazilian experience and is filled with hot rhythms and sassy syncopations. It’s a real party piece and is guaranteed to leave you with a smile of delight on your face.

Rodrigo believes that with Brazilian people the rhythm starts with the feet, then the hips and then the rest of the body follows like a wave. His dance style may be rooted in classical ballet but it has a distinctive Brazilian feel which is mesmerizing to watch, particularly when coupled with the striking costumes and sets.