Dance theatre performance by Claire Henderson Davis & Bettina Carpi

Take Refuge Under My Shade is a duet which follows the interweaving stories of three pregnant women: a Syrian woman journeying to the UK, a British woman describing her struggle with poverty, and the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth to share her good news. The piece explores themes of loss, endurance and new beginnings through a female lens, not in a linear or literal way but through evoking the inner, emotional journey of the women – piecing together the fragments of lives radically changed. The dance interacts with an original soundtrack by composer Gary Lloyd, recorded at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall by the Scottish Session Orchestra conducted by Adam Robinson.

1pm performance preceded by a performance of We are all Human by Kelsall Primary School at 12noon

7.30pm performance will be followed by Q&A

About the creators

Claire Henderson Davis is a dancer/ choreographer and theologian with 20 years experience making original works, and is Contemporary Performance Artist in Residence at Chester Cathedral. Bettina Carpi is an independent dance artist with over 18 years experience working as a dancer, rehearsal director, choreographer, lecturer and movement facilitator. Gary Lloyd is a composer and record producer with over 30 years experience of composing music for productions in theatre, contemporary dance, television drama and documentary, film, art installation, son et lumiere, narrative/music works and orchestral performances.

This performance is part of a series of events as part of Chester Refugee Week, 19-25 June 2018 happening in Chester Cathedral and Storyhouse and has been made possible with funding from Arts Council England granted to the creators.