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Following its successful two-centre premiere season in May 2011, acclaimed NZ choreographer Ann Dewey is primed to take SHINE LADY to international audiences. Combining the talents of renowned kiwi artist Mike Petre, music from Bach to PJ Harvey and performers; Liz Kirk, Julie van Renen and Liana Yew, SHINE LADY offers up a high quality and exciting contemporary dance experience.

Bringing to life the striking images of female divinity including the Madonna and the Hindu goddess’ Kali and Pavarti SHINE LADY traces and explores the cycles of human life. Full of strange surprises, humour and pathos this new work creates an other worldly experience which has entranced both audiences and reviewers alike. 

‘Dewey’s work is idiosyncratic and unique, its inner coherence and artistry and joy to watch.’ – Francesa Horsley, NZ Listener

‘Gorgeous dancers…..a bejewelled celebration of the primordial feminine cosmic energy’ - Bernadette Rae, NZ Herald

‘Dewey discovers a unifying force that gives the work's vocabulary a riveting cohesion and meaning beyond but encompassing the religious iconography.’ – Bernadette Rae, NZ Herald

‘And I just have to say what AMAZING dancers Elizabeth Kirk, Liana Yew and Julie van Renen are.’ – Carrie Rae – www.dancestuff.co.nz

‘Overall, the audience is left with the impression of witnessing something which is far above and beyond the everyday world. Like the great oral traditions of the past, Shine Lady gives us insight into nature, the divine and the cycles of the earth, using dance instead to words to do so.’ – Roxanne de Bryun, Theatreview

SHINE LADY also draws strong inspiration from nature with plate tectonics and local flora affecting the style of movement. Ann has been influenced by her parents in this area of interest. Her father is world renowned geologist John Frederick Dewey who was a major influence in developing the theory of Plate Tectonics and her mother Molly Dewey is a well regarded botanist and researcher of fungal biology at Oxford University.

SHINE LADY began its life with a movement research project, funded by Creative New Zealand, with a full time 15 week research and development workshop with dancers. The premiere season of Shine Lady in May 2011 was a great critical and box office success with sell out seasons in Leigh and Auckland. The company will next be performing at Q theatre during tempo and in Christchurch as part of the Body Festival in October.

Under the direction of Ann Dewey Spinning Sun has gained a reputation for delivering exceptional dance works that carry the hallmark of 'joyful art,’ performance that is full of energy and a sense of humour. Recent works including the highly successful Flicker (Auckland/Leigh 2008 and New Caledonia/ NZ National Tour 2009) and Left and Right (Auckland/Leigh 2009) have reflected this exuberant style.