Why?

Gravity & Levity

Dance, Aerial

Why? is a tour de force of aerial performance delivering emotional truth in every beat. 

Why? is an aerial duet performed in two parts using climbing harnesses and abseil lines with the performers stage/dance floor flipped through 90 degrees so they’re actually dancing on the wall – ‘vertical dance’. 

Why? is both tender and exhilarating, exploring themes of life, loss, surrender and acceptance in a soft and moving way. 

Performed to a powerfully haunting commissioned sound score, with spoken word interspersed throughout the piece.

About Gravity & Levity

Gravity & Levity is a Disabled led aerial dance company that was launched in 2003 by Artistic Director Lindsey Butcher. Through exploring the creative and expressive potential in applying a dance aesthetic to aerial suspension techniques, they aim to liberate and intensify the possibilities of each to create work with a compelling immediacy. 

Gravity & Levity have won Dance For Camera & Jerwood Circus Awards and work with multi-artform artists, across both indoor and outdoor arenas. 

Now in its 19th year, the company’s work has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of aerial dance, offering an alternative to traditional aesthetics in both dance and circus. 

Creative / Production credits:

Choreographer
Fin Walker

Composer
Ben Park

Writing
Ed Harris

Performers
Lindsey Butcher & Lee Clayden

Costume design
Original by Ben Mayer, re-created by Holly Murray

Actors
Nick Holder & Ricky Butt

Cello
Rebecca Jordan

Violin
Buffy Rowe

Percussion
James Taylor

Vocals
Sarah Dacey

Bass and Piano
Ben Park

Image credit © Mark Morreau 

Funding, commissioning and partner credits:

Why? is supported by Without Walls and commissioned by Norfolk and Norwich Festival.

Why? was re-created with generous support from Arts Council England, The Point, Fidget Feet and the Irish Aerial Creation Centre.