A world of dance from Wales & Ethiopia

Jessie Brett (Wales) and Addisu Demissie (Ethiopia) will be performing their latest dance piece 'The World Behind Walls' at Chapter this September. Using a mix of contemporary and Ethiopian dance styles, this unique performance explores the sensitive relationship between two people from very different cultures, with different desires and philosophies on life.

The performances will take place outside, and the audience will be supplied with special headsets to listen to the new soundtrack for the work, specially created by composer Jered Sorkin.

Jessie Brett , originally from Hay on Wye, is one of Wales' promising young choreographers. She is no stranger to the international dance scene and has performed and choreographed work in Tenerife, Madrid, Ethiopia, Sardinia and Austria. With support from Theatr Brycheiniog and funding from the Arts Council of Wales, Jessie has brought Addisu Demissie to Wales to recreate their duet, The World Behind Walls for a Welsh audience.

Based in Addis Ababa, Addisu is Artistic Director of Adugna Dance Company. He is the product of an amazing project that happened in 1996, one of a group of Ethiopian children who were chosen to embark on a life-changing dance training programme at Middlesex University. Now an experienced teacher and choreographer, Addisu spends much of his time paying back the training that he benefited from, working with young people in his home town with the hope of giving them the same chance that he has had. The full story of Adugna Dance is on their website: www.adugnadance.org.

The World Behind Walls is at Chapter on Wed 11 & Thu 12 September at 8.45pm (Tickets 02920 304400 / www.chapter.org) and Theatr Brycheiniog, Wed 18 & Thu 19 September at 8.45pm (Tickets 01874 611622 / www.brycheiniog.co.uk ).