Wayne McGregor’s UniVerse: A Dark Crystal Odyssey – in pictures

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The acclaimed choreographer’s new production reimagines Jim Henson’s epic adventure film – take a look inside

All photographs by Tristram Kenton

Mon 15 May 2023 03.37 EDT Last modified on Fri 19 May 2023 07.53 EDT

• Wayne McGregor’s new show at London’s Royal Opera House is inspired by Jim Henson’s 1982 film The Dark Crystal, but it does not replicate the fantasy storyline. Rather, it gives a vision of a world in peril, a world out of balance – our own world Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• The dancers embody the natural elements. Here, Chien-Shun Liao and Chia-Yu Hsu represent water Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Jordan James Bridge represents earth in a costume patterned with tree roots Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• The show’s striking filmic material was created by Ravi Deepres, who also worked with McGregor on the 2013 project Atomos Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• A dancer warms up before rehearsals Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• UniVerse also features poetry, read aloud by its author, Isaiah Hull: ‘The next generation pays the price,’ he says Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Wayne McGregor directing stage rehearsals Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• ‘Our bodies are central to everything that we do,’ McGregor has said. ‘We all are experts in the body, so of all the art forms, dance should be something that we can connect to’ Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Dancers representing fire, performing before a backdrop showing a forest burning Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• The music, by Joel Cadbury, is also influenced by sci-fi films. Here, Winnie Asawakanjanakit and Chia-Yu Hsu dance in front of an image of a galaxy Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Salvatore De Simone, Jasiah Marshall, Jordan James Bridge and Chien-Shun Liao backstage before rehearsals Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Speaking about Jim Henson’s film, McGregor has said: ‘It was one of the first films where I was engaged by this weird, surreal, unusual out-of-kilter world with a very visceral physicality’ Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Composer Joel Cadbury and Wayne McGregor during stage rehearsals Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• The ‘art-meets-avant-garde-fashion’ costumes were designed by Philip Delamore. The face and body artist is Alex Box. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Rebecca Bassett-Graham, Jordan James Bridge and Jasiah Marshall offer a final glimpse of hope beneath a green tree. UniVerse: A Dark Crystal Odyssey is at the Royal Opera House, London, until 4 June Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

• Dance

• Ballet
• Wayne McGregor
• Theatre
• Royal Opera House

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