Dancing in the Wake
by Jan Bolwell

A new play based on the life of LUCIA JOYCE:
daughter of the writer JAMES JOYCE;
friend and would-be lover of SAMUEL BECKETT.

Premieres at the Museum Art Hotel, Wellington
February 9-12, as part of FRINGE 2012.

Dancing in the Wake tells the lively and ultimately tragic story of an extraordinary and talented young woman who grew up in the shadow of her famous father, James Joyce.

Bolwell recreates the gaiety and creative fervour of 1920s Paris where Lucia trains to be a dancer at the studio of Isadora and Raymond Duncan. Lucia also aspires to join the famous performer Josephine Baker in her show ‘La Revue Nègre’.

In her mid-twenties Lucia is diagnosed with schizophrenia. The play shows her struggle with this illness, supported by her friend and troubled lover, the playwright Samuel Beckett. Lucia’s parents, James Joyce and Nora Barnacle, have differing views on the state of their daughter’s health.

Jan Bolwell describes Dancing in the Wake as “an exploration of what can happen to the talented child of a very famous parent in struggling for recognition and a sense of personal identity. Was her illness caused by this or did it compound the problem?”

Dancing in the Wake blends drama, dance and music. Says Bolwell: “Because Lucia Joyce was a dancer I wanted to tell her story through stylised movement as well dramatised scenes. The challenge has been to try and integrate the two seamlessly throughout the play.”

Dancing in the Wake has a cast of three:
Jan Bolwell (director of the Crows Feet Collective) plays both old and young Lucia;
Sacha Copland (director and choreographer of Java Dance Company) dances young Lucia;
John Smythe (actor, writer and theatre critic) plays Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Carl Jung.

Venue: The Museum Art Hotel, 90 Cable Street, Wellington (opposite Te Papa).

Performance Dates and Times:
Thursday 9th and Friday 10 February at 8pm;
Saturday 11 February at 4pm & 8pm;
Sunday 12 February at 4pm & 6.30pm

Ticket Prices:
Adult $22.00
Concession/ student $18.00
Fringe card$15.00

Bookings at http://www.dashtickets.co.nz/category/experience/theatre ph: 0800 327 484