ad fidem
'ad fidem' explores the concept of a ‘journey to faith’. Faith can of course refer to many different types – for example faith in oneself, faith in a relationship, or a spiritual faith.
In creating this piece, the concept of a ‘journey to faith’ was discussed between choreographer and dancers. It was found that whatever one's understanding of the word ‘faith’, each person’s individual journey towards it followed a similar pathway. The pathway generally involved firstly a period of doubt and inner turmoil, followed by a period of acceptance, and finally a period in which one is able to face the same issues experienced before, but now being able to look at them with different perspective and greater strength.
This pathway can be a difficult and sometimes violent one, almost as if one’s mind becomes a battlefield between faith and doubt. This notion was developed and it was decided to present the pathway as a literal battlefield, with the dancers as soldiers. They fight firstly against internal problems, then after taking the leap of faith, they fight again, but this time in a unified manner against external problems.
Paul Chantry wrote three poems based on these three stages concerning his personal journey to faith. He then gave the poems to Emmy-award nominated composer Robert Logan, who created music in response to the poems. Paul then used this music to inspire the choreography.
Choreography: Paul Chantry
Dance Director: Gail Gordon
Lighting design: Owain Davies
