Junk Ensemble collaborate with acclaimed visual artist Alice Maher for their new work The Misunderstanding of Myrrha, which reawakens the tale of Myrrha from ancient Greek mythology and Ovid.

From Aphrodite’s curse, Myrrha tricked her father and fell pregnant with his child. Fleeing Arabia, Myrrha begged the gods to take pity on her and she was transformed from her human form into a myrrh tree. The sap that falls from the tree are Myrrha’s tears of shame and sadness.

This tale of transformation from female into hybrid form will be re-imagined so that Myrrha’s story is finally told by a woman - we hear it through Myrrha’s once muted voice. Presented through intricate choreography, text, music and a stunning visual design by Alice Maher, the solo dance work cycles through the tragedy of Myrrha’s curse, the acceptance of her fate, and the hope that is unearthed from the trauma. Myrrha’s existence becomes a thing of beauty as she spits out her fate and declares herself a new being: beyond woman, man or tree.

Creation: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy, Alice Maher
Direction and Choreography: Jessica Kennedy, Megan Kennedy
in collaboration with the cast
Scenography and Costume Design: Alice Maher
Lighting Design: Stephen Dodd
Composition: Denis Clohessy
Performer: Julie Koenig
Design Construction: Ger Glancy
Producer: Gwen Van Spijk

Proudly funded by The Arts Council of Ireland | An Chomhairle Ealaion Arts Grant Fund and Dublin City Council. Commissioned by Dublin Dance Festival and supported by Mermaid Arts Centre, Dance Ireland, Project Arts Centre and Shawbrook LD Dance Trust.

Image credit: The Paragon by Alice Maher