Alternately Terrific and Gentle by Liz Roche Company is an expansive, multidimensional film installation with live performance, inspired by a rich tapestry of texts, music, letters, and visual art.

An ensemble of three groundbreaking choreographers/performers-Jodi Melnick (New York), Liz Roche (Dublin) and Jenny Roche (Limerick)-evolve the concept of collaboration, having initiated the creation of this performance both prior to and during lockdown. The piece ventured further with a series of filmed responses from 9 extraordinary choreographers, performers and artists across the world. It now takes tangible form as a performance/filminstallation at Limerick’s Light Moves Festival.

The work takes its title from a love letter from composer John Cage to choreographer Merce Cunningham, where he vividly describes the tumultuous yet delicate intensity of a rainstorm as “alternately terrific and gentle”. Featuring the musings of Leonard Cohen, who imparts wisdom on the art of speaking poetry, the timeless verses of Bob Dylan’s protest anthem, “A Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall,” and the work of visual artist, Dorothy Cross.

Credits Choreographers/performers: Jodi Melnick, Liz Roche, Jenny Roche
Videographer: José Miguel Jiménez
Composer: Robert Boston
Collaborating Artists in film: Colin Dunne, Malcolm Jason Low, Mufutau Yusuf, Paul White, Maïa Nunes, Liv O’Donoghue and Justine Cooper
Additional film/camera: Pippa Samaya, Davide Belloti, Dean Villarini
Light: Pius McGrath
Production Manager: Pius McGrath
Produced by Liz Roche Company