Critically Acclaimed Dance-Theatre Show ‘AFTER ALL’ Comes to Melrose, Opening Conversations on Death and Grief
A French contemporary dance and performance artist coming to Melrose this month hopes her show will help people think differently about death, dying and loss.
Solène Weinachter’s ‘AFTER ALL’ is an Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell out dance-theatre show that she says “celebrates the intricacies of humanity’s vulnerable and courageous existence, encouraging us to feel these essential emotions to their fullest”. The performances at Melrose Corn Exchange will be followed by an open group conversation where people can share any experiences, feelings or questions around death over a cup of tea.
The performance and follow up event are being organised by Live Borders Arts & Creativity, as part of their spring programme of live comedy, theatre, dance and music.
“One of the most satisfying things about bringing an audience together to watch a live performance is picking up some of the conversations that happen between people once the curtain comes down.” Jason Moyes from Live Borders said. “For this performance we wanted to work with the artists to host a facilitated event for people to discuss any aspects of death and dying that they wish to. Anyone is welcome to join in or just come and listen with no pressure to speak.”
Skilfully comedic and emotionally introspective, AFTER ALL explores the death rituals we have, the ones we’ve lost, and the ones that need inventing. Although death comes to everyone, talking about it is often a taboo that results in people holding their grief in isolation – something Solène aims to recast and remould through a fresh outlook on the human experience.
Through a series of hilarious, impassioned re-enactments of the funerals of those she’s loved – as well as imagining her own – Solène attempts to conjure a better sort of space, for all of us, to be with death, dying and loss; bringing us together to explore the role that dancing may play in healing.
Enmeshing dance, theatre, storytelling, and comedy, Solène asks us how we truly feel about our shared eventuality, what happens at the end of it all – and if the ‘end’ really exists at all?
About Solène Weinachter
Solène Weinachter is a freelance dancer and choreographer. Her artistic practice is rooted in the intersection between dance, theatre, storytelling and humour, with the aim to create space for what could be perceived as ‘uncomfortable conversations’.
Solène trained in the regional conservatoire of Lyon and then pursued her training at London Contemporary Dance School where she obtained a BA(Hons) and an MA in contemporary dance and performance. Her interest as a performer is rooted in the connection with the audience.
She has worked with a wide range of dance and physical theatre companies in Europe including: Scottish Dance Theatre, Lost Dog, Oona Doherty, Gecko, Vera Tussing. She was also a founding member of Collective Endeavours, a Glasgow-based music and dance improvisation collective. Her current projects are Antigone, Interrupted by Joan Clevillé, a touring production of Juliet & Romeo by Ben Duke and the Rehearsal directing for OD WORK.
Live Borders have an exciting and diverse range of exhibitions and live events in 2025.
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