An exercise in surrealism. In ‘The Umbrella and the Sewing Machine’, John-William Watson distils their unique theatrical and surrealist style into a hyper physical, musical duet. We are invited to navigate a series of tableaus, each slightly stranger than the last, accompanied by a menagerie of works from Beethoven to Bach. 

We will follow two characters, unmoored from a time or place, as they are lead through a vibrant, poetic, surrealist landscape of music and movement. Although their relationship may be ambiguous Watson encourages the audience to, in true surrealist fashion, connect with their subconscious; finding their own meaning, beauty, narrative and sense from the nonsense.

Concept, Creation and Performance: John-William Watson

Creation and Performance: Beth Emmerson

Commissioned by Théâtre Basse Passière

‘The Umbrella and the Sewing Machine’ is a new commissioned work by Théâtre Basse Passière, presented as part of ‘Ensemble de Trois’

An evening of three dance works, by British choreographer and director John-William Watson. In Ensemble de Trois you are invited to take a journey through three stages of an artist and their artwork; through their first ever work, a piece of current repertoire and a new commission by Theatre Basse Passiere.