An Anatomie in Four Quarters
An Anatomie in Four Quarters is a promenade performance in which the audience cut a path through the auditorium of a large theatre, continually changing their viewing positions until they find themselves on stage.
Featuring a cast of thirty-eight dancers and musicians, An Anatomie in Four Quarters is a spectacular visual poem about human beings’ insatiable desire to get closer to things and a celebration of the anatomy of the theatre itself. It explores our perception of the human form, the physical structure of the bodies we inhabit and the ways we attempt to see, define, contain, name and value them.
An Anatomie in Four Quarters: Changing Perspectives (2022)
In 2022 we revisited An Anatomie in Four Quarters as part of The Lowry, Salford’s ‘The Empty Auditorium’ programme.
We reflected on the ways that the original production brought the whole theatre and its internal structures to life. From there, we explored the show’s resonance more than a decade on, at a time when theatres across the country were reimagining themselves during the pandemic.
Watch An Anatomie in Four Quarters: Changing Perspectives below. Includes footage from the original production, stills and interviews with Suzy Willson and Paul Clark.
Suzy Willson - Direction & Choreography; Paul Clark - Music; Sarah Blenkinsop - Costume Hansjörg Schmidt - Lighting; Rehearsal Director - Claire Cunningham
Produced in association with Fuel
Since 2011 'An Anatomie in Four Quarters' has been performed by:
Alessandra Ruggeri; Anna Williams; David Lodge; Hannah Anderson-Rickets; Ino Riga; Jason Thorpe; Karima El Amrani; Keir Patrick; Laura de Vos; Leah Marojovic; Mariana Camiloti; Matthew Morris; Nicolas Picchini; Owen Ridley-DeMonick; Pari Naderi; Ramona Nagabczynska; Robert Bell; Sarah Cameron; Silvia Mercuriali; Tiffany Desplanques; Valentina Golfieri; Yuyu Rau; Zoe Bywater
Since 2011 the music for 'An Anatomie in Four Quarters' has been performed by:
Alison Dods; Calina de la Mare; Catherine Ring; Chris Allan; Chris Pitsillides; Desmond Neysmith; Galen Nikolov; James Keane; Kate Robinson; Melanie Pappenheim; Natalia Bonner; Natalie Raybould; Nuno Silva; Rebekah Allan; Sarah Malcolm; Tom Piggott-Smith; Vanessa Domonique
Chorus Legs: Anna Kirakowska; Anna Burgess; Chiara Barassi; Eleonor Bullen Hyda; Emma Ghieve; Emma Lansley; Fern Aichison; Helena Astridge; Jess Flanagan; Leah Jones; Tia Liana Ogilvie; Megan Charnook; Ursula Kelly; Verity Wright; Yukiko Masui; Zara Philips
Orchestras: Manchester Camerata; Sinfonia Cymru
Commissioned by Sadler’s Wells
Research supported by Jerwood Studio at Sadler’s Wells
Supported by a Wellcome Trust Large Arts Award and Arts Council England
Nominated for the 2017 Manchester Theatre Award: Special Entertainment
28-30 October 2011 - Sadler’s Wells, London (Part of Clod Ensemble’s ‘Performing Medicine: Anatomy’ Season)
26 November-7 December 2013
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
28 - 30 April 2016
The Lowry, Salford
“[‘An Anatomie in Four Quarters’] presents big ideas more tantalising than its beguilingly various components.”
★★★★ Sunday Times Culture Magazine
“Clod Ensemble’s fascinating new work should blast away any memories of dull anatomy lessons. I’d advise any student of anatomy, or anyone interested in the functions of human physicality, to see this work.”
The Guardian
“The beauty of Clod Ensemble’s promenade dance piece is that it manages to simultaneously be all about that theatre, all about theatre, all about the individual and all about the human race [...] As the huge stage doors are opened and we blinkingly exit, there is a feeling of having been involved in something with genuine meaning.”
Islington Tribune
