Premiered at Camborne Corn Exchange, Duets for Unusual Souls creates an immersive celebratory experience for ballrooms or other social dance venues. It re-interprets ideas of the famous Dance Marathons of the 1930s, during which people competed for prize money in a time of deep recession. Performed by a large cast of over 80 local performers, aged 6 – 80, and a live band Duets for Unusual Souls brings together stories and memories of people in a performative act. Using a set of beautifully detailed suitcases filled with significant personal objects, the performance starts as an intimate meditation of personal memory and identity and moves towards the collective joy of celebration and communal dancing. Duets for Unusual Souls can be re-created and adapted for different settings and different scales, using a combination of members of the original casts and local performers.
Design and Lighting: Adam Honeymoon
Music: Viv Rodd and his Jazz band
Dramaturgy: Angus Balbernie
“Everyone is still talking about it. It’s had a huge influence and blown people away, redefining the theatre” Tim Brinkman – Director, Hall for Cornwall
“It was an exemplary piece of work in terms of processes and product. It was able to bring people together of all ages and abilities (from complete novices to professionals) in a piece of work that was moving and memorable for the performers and the audience.” Dot Peryer – Director, The Works
Angela Praed Dance Production 