Greek artist Dimitris Papaioannou’s Transverse Orientation has been nominated for Best New Dance Production at the 2022 Olivier Awards.
Bree O'Mara in Transverse Orientation; photo by Julian Mommert
With three sold-out performances at Sadler’s Wells, Transverse Orientation closed Dance Umbrella’s 2021 festival with a flourish, last October.
The show marked Papaioannou’s third time at Dance Umbrella, following his debut in 2016 with Primal Matter at Truman Brewery and The Great Tamer at Sadler’s Wells in 2018, which was also nominated for an Olivier Award.
A true master of visual spectacle, Papaioannou explores existential themes, mining mythology and art history to conjure vivid and often humorous imagery. Taking inspiration from the natural behaviour of moths to seek light, Transverse Orientation follows the human compulsion to find meaning on the journey of life.
The production was met with critical acclaim, describing Papaioannou as a “masterful theatrical magician” (The Times) and commending the “painterly precision” (The Guardian) of his work. Culture Whisper applauded the “indefatigable” eight performers, “deserving of the highest plaudits”.
Transverse Orientation has been nominated alongside Rambert’s Draw From Within and Revisor by Crystal Pite and Jonathan Young / Kidd Pivot, both presented at Sadler’s Wells.
The Olivier Awards ceremony will be on Sunday 10 April 2022 at the Royal Albert Hall.
Watch Dimitris Papaioannou post-show talk, Transverse Orientation at Sadler’s Wells
Transverse Orientation was co-commissioned by Dance Umbrella and Sadler’s Wells