‘They must know me’: Embodied Intertextuality and the Reworking of Local Irish Dance Traditions by Siamsa Tíre

Kearney, Daithi (2022) ‘They must know me’: Embodied Intertextuality and the Reworking of Local Irish Dance Traditions by Siamsa Tíre. International Journal ofTraditional Arts, 3. ISSN 2631-6064

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Abstract

Focusing on elements and motifs in ‘The Blackbird’ set dance performed by Siamsa Tíre, The National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and their reoccurrence in subsequent choreography, this article critically considers the continued embodiment of local identity as it transfers from a community of older dancers to professional staged adaptations involving international collaborators and newly composed music. Through an analysis of archival footage and dance steps, I present comparisons with the choreography for ‘The Seville Suite’, first performed in 1992, which juxtaposes traditional Irish and Flamenco dance. I reflect on my own dance practice and seek to translate embodied knowledge that demonstrates the resilience of cultural practices Retraditionalization is evident as artists return to an exploration of the archives and interact with culture bearers to develop the narratives of tradition that have implications for understandings of authenticity.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Irish dance, intertextuality, folk theatre, Siamsa Tíre, resilience
Subjects:	Arts and Humanities Arts and Humanities > Music
Research Centres:	Centre for Creative Arts, Media & Music
Depositing User:	David Kearney
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2024 13:12
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2024 13:12
License:	Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0
URI:	https://eprints.dkit.ie/id/eprint/882

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