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A 50-minute live performance gives a new lease of life to Frida Kahlo’s famous self-portrait through storytelling, dance and music
Image: Performers from Balbir Singh Dance Company, image by Malcolm Johnson
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is a cultural icon that is the subject of magnitudes of artistic and commercial expression. Airing their representation is Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, where – in collaboration with Balbir Singh Dance Company – live performances of The Two Fridas will be shown across Billingham, County Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton over the next two months.
Kahlo’s famous self-portrait is granted a new lease of life through storytelling, dance and music, where Kahlo shares the spotlight with Hungarian-Indian progressive painter Amrita Sher-Gil. Balbir Singh of Yorkshire-based Balbir Singh Dance Company comments: “This show represents how two women’s struggle to tackle adversity can be used as an inspiration for us all to deal with what life throws at us.” To cement correct authenticity, accuracy was enhanced by the careful eye of Manchester-based Mexican consultant Magaly Flores of Mexican dance company Colibri.
The 50-minute piece which praises two thought-provoking figures also treats the audience to live painting from a different local artist each time, who cherishes a connection with the individual venues. Olga Maloney, Artistic Director of the festival, says: “We want to provide audiences with a delightful display of dance theatre performance that people have been craving for the past 12 months. The Two Fridas will have something to whet the palette throughout the summer.”
