The Arts Review​

My Fierce Ignorant Step by Christos Papadopoulos. Image, Pinelopi Gerasimou **** The back-up dancers have broken free and are making their own cosmopolitan art show, here amid the remnants of twentieth century pop-dream nostalgia. Madonna has been abandoned on a stage somewhere, wondering where her young, Greek and beautiful ensemble have escaped to, with their headsets, plastic bag pants and sparkling slenderness all in tow. In Christos Papadopoulos' My Fierce Ignorant Step,

Ciseach, by Catherine Young Dance. Image Patricio Cassinoni **** Ritual, incantation, native wisdom. Every culture has its collective memories. Which, as comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell illustrated, share much in common. Myth and memory spawning a worldwide industry of genuine insight, questionable beliefs and gullible New Age escapism. Cosplay Druids worshipping crystal chakras at Bealtaine festivals appropriating the primitive. Or there’s the John Moriartys. Keepers

Imogen Alvares and Amir Sabra in Junk Ensemble's STORM 1.0. Image, Fionn McCann. *** It's a consequence of festivals that you sometimes find yourself attending previews. An effort to try cover as many shows as possible during their short run. Such was the case for Junk Ensemble’s long awaited STORM 1.0, which opens on May 7th as part of Dublin Dance Festival 2026 (travelling to Hawk’s Well Theatre as part of Sligo Cairde Sligo Arts Festival on July 9th). Previews allowing for