Sydney Opera House Welcomes Michael Clark Company this Summer

The Sydney Opera House today announced the Australian premiere of iconoclastic British choreographer Michael Clark's celebrated production, to a simple, rock 'n' roll . . . song. with a strictly limited six-night season in the Drama Theatre this summer.

Acclaimed by critics and fans alike, to a simple, rock 'n' roll . . . song. is a triple bill of arresting choreography "from an artist at the top of his game", backed by a sensational soundtrack featuring some of modern music's most-revered mavericks, from avant-garde French composer Erik Satie to the late-great David Bowie and recent Opera House alumnus Patti Smith, whose seminal album Horses inspired the show's title.

Artist and filmmaker, Charles Atlas is behind the scintillating lighting design and Act II features a stage adaptation of Charles Atlas' stunning psychedelic multi-channel video installation Painting by Numbers, first shown in London in 2010.

Since emerging as a prodigy at London's Royal Ballet School in the 1980s, Michael Clark has been a defining cultural figure, hailed by the Independent on Sunday as "British dance's true iconoclast". Three decades later, he continues to hone dance's cutting edge, often in collaboration with other artists from Sarah Lucas, Leigh Bowery and Peter Doig to Charles Atlas, Jarvis Cocker and The Fall - winning rave reviews and countless awards. In 1984, Clark founded Michael Clark Company, which has since toured worldwide performing at leading arts venues in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia.

to a simple, rock 'n' roll . . . song. was commissioned by the Barbican, London and premiered there in 2016 with a prestigious Oliver Award Nomination for the final work in the triptych, my mother, my dog And CLOWNS! (taken from the lyrics of David Bowie's "Life on Mars"). The original season sold out, with the company recently completing a return season at the Barbican.

Another long-time co-conspirator of Michael Clark's Stevie Stewart is the costume designer, responsible for the refined combination of black and white body-hugging costumes, reflecting Stewart's origins as co-founder of the 1980's fashion label Bodymap.

Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Danielle Harvey says "to a simple, rock 'n' roll . . . song. is an ode to Michael Clark's influences past and present - a pulsating love song writ large by the bodies of eight dancers creating a searing blend of classical ballet, contemporary dance, fashion, music and visual arts. It's a feast for the eyes and ears and a must-see for arts lovers - I'm thrilled to bring it to the Opera House."

Following the Sydney Opera House season, to a simple, rock 'n' roll . . . song. will travel to Perth from February 14-17 as part of the Perth International Arts Festival.

Photo credit: Hugo Glendinning

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