Overview
The production was inspired by the people and communities of Derry-Londonderry in sustaining 25 years of peacebuilding since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
After the Rain explored physical and spiritual resilience in the face of obstacles through a mass collective acrobatic act of lifting each other up. It was Compagnie XY’s first ever work produced in Northern Ireland and was one of only two new works produced by the collective in recent years. The other was for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Image Gallery
Communities and Places
The production took two years to develop. Compagnie XY made extensive research visits to Derry-Londonderry, where they familiarised themselves with the community and explored the history of the city. In September 2022, Compagnie XY delivered a series of pop-up performances called Les Voyages Derry-Londonderry. Locals and passers-by interacted with the troupe in a series of acrobatic encounters during their everyday lives. Each interaction was a unique and uplifting experience for those involved. Les Voyages surprised thousands of the city’s residents, in neighbourhood parks, shopping centres and pubs before a moving reunion event in St. Columb’s Park.
After the Rain saw Compagnie XY for the first time mentoring local circus artists, to take part in the final performance. Local musicians also provided a newly commissioned soundtrack
Watch Film
A short documentary about Compagnie XY's commission in Derry.
Find out more
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Blog Post
Rachel Melaugh, Creative Director at In Your Space Circus discusses the impact of After the Rain
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More about The Troubles
Watch IWM's video series The Troubles in Northern Ireland.