We Are The Makers
and The Dreamers of Dreams
Journeys to the heart of the matter with Irish broadcaster Dónal Dineen
Episode Two – Liz Roche, choreographer
We Are The Makers is a new long-form audio documentary series focusing on the work
of contemporary Irish artists and their practices. Built around extensive interviews with
some of Ireland’s most eminent artists, these quarterly transmissions are part portrait,
part diary, travelogue and soundscape. With the makers as our guide, these are deep-
dives into back catalogues and entire bodies of work.
Dispatches from the eye of the hurricane and heart of the matter.
Episode Two charts the arc of choreographer Liz Roche's journey to the top of the
contemporary dance world. From starting at ballet school in Dublin at aged of seven,
through training in London Contemporary Dance School, to dancing across Europe,
Dónal hears how her education and experience onstage informs her finely wrought and
beautifully choreographed productions. Together they talk about the act of making, the
collision of sound, movement and image and the cross-disciplinary influences that have
inspired her art and career.
Since forming her company, originally called Rex Levitates, with her sister Jenny in
1999, Liz’s stellar output of almost thirty shows has seen her work performed to critical
acclaim in the UK, Europe, Australia, the USA and China. The episode focuses on two
productions in particular: Bastard Amber at the Abbey Theatre - a stunning collage of
sublime design, live sound and choreography inspired by two giants of Irish art in the
modern age, WB Yeats and Patrick Scott, and her most recent production – Dēmos,
which addresses the topical theme of separation and togetherness, which is showing as
part of Dublin Dance Festival 2021 online.
We Are The Makers is written and presented by Irish broadcaster Dónal Dineen and
produced by Ian Cudmore. Original music by Ultan O’Brien. Commissioned by Solas
Nua in Washington, D.C., bringing contemporary Irish art to U.S. audiences.
Listen to Episode 1 with Eamonn Doyle here:
Kindly supported by Culture Ireland.
Cover photo by Matthew Thompson.
