The new Maiden Voyage dance and music performance, Turnabout, commissioned from choreographer Jennifer Rooney and composer Elaine Agnew was premiered online to rave reviews as part of the Belfast Children’s Festival 2021. Turnabout is an expression of all aspects of hope; holding on to hope, loosing hope, shared hope, keeping hopeful hearts-so prevalent during the times we find ourselves within. Due to the ongoing pandemic the entire project was made through socially distanced rehearsals and filming.

We had audiences join us from 21 countries from around the world, with 3,784 views, including 309 audiences for audio description.

Just watched! Lovely, spirited piece and beautifully performed by your dancers. Production was excellent, film, music all woven meticulously together. Congratulations to your entire creative team.   

I loved everything about it … a fabulous, seamless artistic collaboration.  So moving.  Just watched with the family, we are in awe of the talent! Well done.

Audience members

Local poet Olive Broderick created the text using stories of hope by children from St Joseph’s PS, St Kieran’s PS and Rathcoole PS during workshops facilitated in late 2020. The text was then sung by 80+ young voices from the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs.

A dynamic programme of movement, music and writing workshops on the theme of hope were offered free to families during festival weekends and to NI Primary Schools throughout April.

Even over Zoom there was a wonderful energy to this workshop, and there was a great buzz in the classroom. The children were engaged throughout, and even a couple of children who can sometimes find it hard to remain focussed on ‘work’, were front and centre, dancing and moving the whole time

Initial development of Turnabout was made possible by Commission Funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.  Maiden Voyage is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and is supported by Belfast City Council.