Grace
Grace Production
Visually stunning and dramatic, Grace is the latest work of White & Givan.
The word “Grace” is of Latin origin, used as a reference to “God’s grace” meaning Charm, Goodness and Generosity. If we think of ‘Grace’ we may think of an Angel, its wings unfolding and protecting you - your own personal Guardian Angel. We do not have to believe in God, however, to believe in Angels. According to a report from The Humanist Society Scotland….”the majority of Scotland’s population do not identify with a religion nor believe in key aspects of spiritual belief…” Some Scots, however, do believe in Angels! The Scottish Society for Psychical Research portrayed how belief in Angels… ”would be a positive thing, reassuring for people, it’s consoling for people who are grief stricken, and obviously it is a nice thought that angels surround us at the point of death and take us to an afterlife and heaven.”
This dance work is inspired by Portuguese-British visual artist, Paula Rego’s portrait “Angel” and explores themes of vulnerability and strength, reflecting the changes that take place in our lives, how we evolve and face challenges. The feeling of Grace appeals to everyone, of all walks of life, lying dormant in our hearts until our hour of need - the feeling that there is something “other” out there. In these uncertain times, when life feels less secure, we may look beyond what we can see and hear - an external force or a belief in the metaphysical. Grace lies within each of us regardless of our class or wealth and is depicted in this performance piece.
Using clothing to armour the body and using the dancers’ own personal experiences, the piece will juxtapose multiple perspectives through depth, scale and empty space to communicate embodied human experiences and emotion. We will then develop the idea of “What does your Angel look like?” through community workshops, exploring themes of power dressing, identity and image.
Grace Exhibition
Premiering in Historic Environment Scotland venues in summer 2025, Grace is a powerful new dance work inspired by Paula Rego’s haunting portrait, “Angel’, a figure that embodies both strength and vulnerability. The production was performed at Stirling Castle, Doune Castle and Dunblane Cathedral, transforming each space into an intimate stage where movement, costume and sound reveal stories of protection, resilience and transformation.
Alongside performances a creative workshop programme was developed in collaboration with Kirsten Wood, Learning Officer at Historic Environment Scotland. Led by acclaimed artists David Powell, Katie Henderson and Kate May Anderson. Participants explored the themes of Grace through willow weaving, stained glass and tapestry.
Guided by the question “What might your angel look like?”, the workshops encouraged reflection, imagination and creative response. The process culminates in a co-created exhibition at Stirling Castle on 22nd of September, showcasing artworks, images, film and sound inspired by the production.
Visually stunning and dramatic, Grace is the latest work of White & Givan.
The word “Grace” is of Latin origin, used as a reference to “God’s grace” meaning Charm, Goodness and Generosity. If we think of ‘Grace’ we may think of an Angel, its wings unfolding and protecting you - your own personal Guardian Angel. We do not have to believe in God, however, to believe in Angels. According to a report from The Humanist Society Scotland….”the majority of Scotland’s population do not identify with a religion nor believe in key aspects of spiritual belief…” Some Scots, however, do believe in Angels! The Scottish Society for Psychical Research portrayed how belief in Angels… ”would be a positive thing, reassuring for people, it’s consoling for people who are grief stricken, and obviously it is a nice thought that angels surround us at the point of death and take us to an afterlife and heaven.”
This dance work is inspired by Portuguese-British visual artist, Paula Rego’s portrait “Angel” and explores themes of vulnerability and strength, reflecting the changes that take place in our lives, how we evolve and face challenges. The feeling of Grace appeals to everyone, of all walks of life, lying dormant in our hearts until our hour of need - the feeling that there is something “other” out there. In these uncertain times, when life feels less secure, we may look beyond what we can see and hear - an external force or a belief in the metaphysical. Grace lies within each of us regardless of our class or wealth and is depicted in this performance piece.
Using clothing to armour the body and using the dancers’ own personal experiences, the piece will juxtapose multiple perspectives through depth, scale and empty space to communicate embodied human experiences and emotion. We will then develop the idea of “What does your Angel look like?” through community workshops, exploring themes of power dressing, identity and image.
Grace Exhibition
Premiering in Historic Environment Scotland venues in summer 2025, Grace is a powerful new dance work inspired by Paula Rego’s haunting portrait, “Angel’, a figure that embodies both strength and vulnerability. The production was performed at Stirling Castle, Doune Castle and Dunblane Cathedral, transforming each space into an intimate stage where movement, costume and sound reveal stories of protection, resilience and transformation.
Alongside performances a creative workshop programme was developed in collaboration with Kirsten Wood, Learning Officer at Historic Environment Scotland. Led by acclaimed artists David Powell, Katie Henderson and Kate May Anderson. Participants explored the themes of Grace through willow weaving, stained glass and tapestry.
Guided by the question “What might your angel look like?”, the workshops encouraged reflection, imagination and creative response. The process culminates in a co-created exhibition at Stirling Castle on 22nd of September, showcasing artworks, images, film and sound inspired by the production.
CREATIVE TEAM
Directors And Performers Errol White & Davina Givan
Costume Design White & Givan
Production Design White & Givan
Sound Design Tiago Cerqueira
Costume Design White & Givan
Production Design White & Givan
Sound Design Tiago Cerqueira
VIDEO
Grace Project Trailer
GALLERY
