Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company (UK) – Contagion

Company of the leading choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh.

In 1918 the Spanish flu pandemic infected one third of the world’s population and killed over 50 million people. Directly exacerbated by troop and civilian migrations from the First World War, the virus killed more people than the war itself. Contagion is a 40-minute promenade piece for war, art and science-related venues, opening at the Gymnasium Gallery in Berwick-upon-Tweed, a former army barracks where soldiers were sent to keep fit during the first world war. Contagion is inspired by the nature and rapid spread of the flu virus ? the unseen enemy that mankind was battling within, while engaging in more conventional warfare in the world outside.