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Siamsoir are an exciting addition to any event. Our tailor made programmes ensure that you get exactly what you want for your event. We work with you to create a performance that will delight and impress your guests and we are happy to choreograph to your own choice of music, if we have enough notice.
Upcoming Events:
Academy of Performance Irish Dance taster session October 2010
Siamsoir Performance Troupe Auditions October 2010
(email info@siamsoir.co.uk to register for a place at the audition)
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011 ‘The Prophecy’
Crail Festival June 2011 ‘The Prophecy’
This is the third Performance Irish Dance theatre production created by Jennifer Hogan for Siamsoir.
The Prophecy is inspired by W. B Yates’ poem ‘The Changeling’ which tells the tale of the faeries stealing children away to live with them in Tir Na’ Og.
Set in the modern world but delving into mythical lands the 'stolen child', Sinead, is taken by the Queen of the Faeries, Erin, to complete a prophecy in their world;
A stranger stolen from a distant land
Must bring together the warring clans
Be warned that time will disappear
And leave that stranger ever here!
Now in a magical land Sinead must fulfill the prophecy and unite the warring clans before time runs out.
Theatre and Performance Irish Dance at their best; prepare to be transported by enigmatic Irish dance to other realities where faeries and magic rule and warring clans clash.
The plot of Celtic Caledonia is based on the 7th century battle between the Picts and the Gaels in Scotland, and features a few historical figures alongside the fictional.
When all the magic has died in the land of Eire (Ireland), the Celts abandon their barren home and take to the seas. They arrive on the shores of Caledonia with the promise of a new life, only to encounter the Pictish clans already in residence.
Threatened by the new arrivals, the Picts are forced to summon ancient mystical forces in order to protect their land and their culture.
In addition to the two ancestral tribes, two very different styles of dance share the stage. The Celts are performance Irish Dancers and in contrast, the Picts were choreographed in the Contemporary genre, characterised by its fluidity and horizontal energy.
The pinnacle of this unusual blend lies in the stirring scenes of intermingling and interchanging steps, reminiscent of the company’s previous Fringe performance Battle for Eire.
Battle for Eire, Siamsoir's first original full-length show, premiered in May of 2007 and appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that summer.
Erin, the leader of the villagers of Nareena (brought to life through Irish Dance) signs her life away to the Faery kingdom in return for the protection of her friends from their enemies the Keltons (portrayed by contemporary dancers). She is transported to their kingdom and joins forces with the Faeries to battle with the villagers against the Keltons.
Joined on stage by Shybairn an exciting and vibrant Celtic band Battle for Eire delights audiences with incredible music and compelling dance.
Past Events
March 17, 2010: Celtic Celebrations, Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh: Hosts
March 17, 2010: Edinburgh University Union St Patricks Day Celebration
March 18-20, 2010: Guest Performers, Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh
March 2010: Guest Performers, Edinburgh University Modern Dance Society
April 10, 2010: Richmond Wedding, Glasgow
February 4, 2010: St Andrews Academy, Paisley, Fashion Show
August 5-15, 2009: 'Celtic Caledonia' at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, C Venues, Edinburgh
August 13, 2009: 'Celtic Caledonia' The Birnam Institute
April 8, 2009: On the Rocks Festival, St Andrews
March 2009: Carroll Wedding, Dundee
March 2009: Edinburgh's Got Talent, ‘Best Dance Group’, Edinburgh
March 17, 2009: St Patrick's Day Pub Tour, Edinburgh
March 24, 2009: Edinburgh University Modern Dance Society, Guest Performers, Edinburgh
February 20, 2009: St Salvator’s Ball, St Andrews
April 17, 2008: The University Geo Ball, The Golf Hotel, St. Andrews
March 17, 2008: St. Patrick's Day Pub Tour, St. Andrews
January 26, 2008: Burns Reloaded, Edinburgh Corn Exchange
August 19-27, 2007: 'Battle for Eire' at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, C Venues, Edinburgh
May 5-6, 2007: 'Battle for Eire' premiere, St. Leonard’s School, St. Andrews
March 17, 2007: St. Patrick's Day Pub Tour, St. Andrews
November 26, 2006: Athletic Union Ball, The Bay Hotel, St. Andrews
September 22, 2006: Pagan Osborne Charity Ceilidh, The Craw's Nest, Anstruther
April 29, 2006: St. Andrews Arts Showcase, The Byre Theatre
April 23, 2006: Don't Walk Charity Fashion Show, RAF Leuchars
April 23, 2006: ICE Charity Multicultural Event, St. Andrews Student Union
April 21, 2006: The Golf Ball, The Scores Hotel, St. Andrews
March 17, 2006: St. Patrick's Day Pub Tour, St. Andrews
February 24, 2006: Company Launch, The Byre Theatre, St. Andrews
REELING IN HISTORY
IRISH DANCE COMPANY TELLS STORY OF SCOTLAND AT FRINGE 2009
(Edinburgh, Scotland) An unlikely group of history teachers will appear at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009, and they’re leaving the books at home. Armed with their Irish hard shoes, a full cast of characters, and cutting edge fusion choreography, the Siamsoir Celtic Dance Company will take audiences back to once upon a time—to the days before a united Scotland. CELTIC CALEDONIA: The Curse is set to premiere in August and promises to reinvent the art of dance theatre at the Fringe.
Translated from its Gaelic origins, siamsoir means ‘entertainer.’ Director Jennifer Hogan founded the company of twelve dancers in the winter of 2005 when she was just 22 years old. A few weeks later Siamsoir was in demand as a fully operational performance act. Booked for the internationally renowned Don’t Walk Charity Fashion Show and eight different venues on their first St. Patrick’s Day Tour alone, Siamsoir’s reputation of excellence was firmly established. In the summer of 2007 Siamsoir was the only Irish dance troupe to appear at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing their original show BATTLE FOR EIRE. This year they are dishing up something entirely new.
‘I wanted to pay homage to my two great loves,’ says Hogan, who is the creator, writer, and director of CELTIC CALEDONIA, in addition to her responsibilities as company director. ‘Telling the story of my homeland [Scotland] through the art of dance means a lot to me, and I hope that it will mean something to every person who experiences the show. I think that anyone who loves this place, loves our history and our heritage, will be affected by the story we tell.’
The plot of CELTIC CALEDONIA is based on the 7th century battle between the Picts and the Gaels, and features a few historical figures alongside the fictional. When all the magic has died in the land of Eire (Ireland), the Celts abandon their barren home and take to the seas. They arrive on the shores of Caledonia with the promise of a new life, only to encounter the Pictish clans already in residence. Threatened by the new arrivals, the Picts are forced to summon ancient mystical forces in order to protect their land and their culture.
In addition to the two ancestral tribes, two very different styles of dance will share the stage in CELTIC CALEDONIA. The Celts will perform traditional Irish steps—an upright and vertical style of movement. In contrast, the Picts will be choreographed in the Contemporary genre, characterised by its fluidity and horizontal energy. The pinnacle of this unusual blend lies in the stirring scenes of intermingling and interchanging steps, reminiscent of the company’s previous Fringe performance BATTLE FOR EIRE.
According to Hogan, ‘What really sets CELTIC CALEDONIA apart is the historical context and the love story between Cruithne and Cinead, set against the past love of the Sorceress and the Drow. There’s still that wonderful mystical folklore element we explored in BATTLE FOR EIRE, which captivates children and adults alike, but we’ve taken the next step with CALEDONIA.’
CELTIC CALEDONIA: The Curse will appear 5–15 of August at C Venue 34 on Chambers Street. Performances begin at 11.30am and run about 55 minutes. Tickets £7.50–£9.50; Concessions £6.50–£8.50; Children £4.50–£6.50.
For ticketing information please contact C Venues at 0845 260 1234 or www.CtheFestival.com.
For more information about Siamsoir or CELTIC CALEDONIA please contact Jennifer Hogan at 07886 53 7597 or info@siamsoir.co.uk.
"The Battle for Eire," Siamsoir's first original full-length show, premiered in May of 2007 and appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that summer. To learn about how the show's unique combination of live music and Irish/contemporary dance fusion came to be, watch the video below.
Add a little theatrical spice to your event! Individual Irish pieces from "The Battle for Eire" are available for performance bookings. Get in touch today!