The Conedancers
A 21st Century Maypole

Created in 2005, an air-filled cone eight metres high creates a new stage for an extraordinary aerial performance. With four axes of rotation we have created a choreography in the Dream Engine tradition of being unique and unusual. Acrobatic and upbeat but also passionate and moving. The Conedancers is performed to an original score and computer-driven LED lighting effects.

The Structure
Eight metres tall and made of PVC, the structure is a giant air-filled cone with its base strapped to a ballasted steel ring seven metres diameter to keep the bottom flat. The lines for the two performers are winched up through a load-bearing central pole with a spindle set at the point, so most of the action has the performers bouncing off an area halfway up the outside of the cone, approx four metres above the ground, Diaphragms from the inside of the cone are connected to the central pole and guy lines from the top of the pole to the base to keep it upright. The show is viewed in the round.

The Show
A boy and a girl dressed in traditional folk dancers’ costumes dance formally around the outside of the Cone. As the dance progresses the formality is thrown off along with some of the clothes as a game of chase and longing ensues. Then in the tradition of the May Day and Beltane rituals of the past, the chase ends with a spectacular finale: A kiss.

Using bi-directional harnesses the performers have four different axes of rotation and can access the top to the bottom of the Cone. The illusion is gravity defying and extraordinary.

Based on the Fertility celebrations of pre-Christian Beltane where, on the first day of spring the cattle were put out to pasture and various fertility rites took place. One such rite was that for one night a year, young people could take a partner and make merry in the woods without having to adhere to the usual conventions of society.

The Music
We have created an original score for the show. Starting with traditional instrumentation to reflect the ancient origins of maypole dances, it moves into contemporary styles and orchestration.

The Costumes
Eclectic folkloric costumes with rowan crowns are shed when the activity increases to reveal the personalities of the dancers. Are they from the distant past or the distant future?

Effects
Lit internally to make the structure glow with changing colours and externally using shadows for changes in mood. A high-tech LED computer-generated lighting programme follows the score and choreography.

Touring
The tours with 2 performers and 2 technicians in a van. We will develop a version to travel by air when the equipment requirements have been consolidated. Deputy performers and crew will be introduced so that the show is not dependant on availability. We aim to do 2 or 3 shows of 15 minutes duration a day if the audience is different.

Day / Night
Aimed at being mainly a night time show with lights, it may also be possible to perform it during daylight.

Technical Requirements and Risk Assessment available.