This Dance Show About Loss Belonged at Sea

The North Sea shifts in colors from green to grey to washed-out blue under the rain. Eight people wade into the water, their heads held high, arms rhythmically striking the surface. They are dancing. These performers, led by director Nadia Iftkhar of Newcastle-based Company of Others, are rehearsing for Grief Floats, an evocative performance set to take place on the sands and in the sea at King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth.

Grief Floats originated during the lockdown, a time when Iftkhar felt surrounded by grief—not just from the pandemic-related deaths but also from what she perceived as a diminishing sense of humanity. Moved by this, she contacted the company’s sound designer and expressed a desire to create a show about grief, with the sea as the backdrop.

The inspiration for Grief Floats goes back further than 2020. Iftkhar, now 42, experienced her first miscarriage at 21. She has had several more since then. It was a loss she struggled to process until she discovered that creating a ritual could provide solace. This ritual became an annual visit to the bay, where she spends time with her grief, understanding it afresh each year.

The theme of grief expanded in this project, considering the sea’s historical role as a site of numerous lost lives—from slaves during the transatlantic slave trade to modern-day refugees. The dancers brought their own grief, including ancestral grief, to the performance. A poignant section of the piece has them standing at the shore’s edge, performing rituals inspired by their diverse cultural backgrounds. Research into global mourning practices led Iftkhar to believe that British society mishandles grief, often shrouding it in silence.

Despite the inherently dark and messy nature of grief, Iftkhar aimed for this project to exude beauty. Some performances are scheduled at sunrise, with the sun framed by cliffs and the ruins of Tynemouth Priory. The shows will proceed regardless of weather conditions, provided safety precautions are met, including the presence of a lifeguard and paramedic. The cold North Sea and the lack of wetsuits add another layer of authenticity, with the dancers enduring the elements. “If you see a dancer go under the water and struggle, that is real,” says Iftkhar.

The beach brings its own unpredictability. The ticketed audience will wear headphones for the soundtrack, but the beach remains public, with curious passersby and everyday beach activities continuing around them. This, Iftkhar notes, mirrors the experience of grieving—life carries on, indifferent.

Iftkhar grew up near Walker, a deprived area of Newcastle, where she experienced bullying as the only person of color at her school. Dance became her refuge, introduced to her by neighbors who took her to disco dancing classes. It offered a sense of belonging that school never did. After leaving school at 16, she eventually found her way into dance training and community dance, working with influential practitioners like Tamara McLorg, Royston Maldoom, and Janice Parker.

In 2016, Iftkhar founded Company of Others to create a safe space for individuals with diverse backgrounds—including race, class, and ability—who have felt marginalized. Grief Floats is just a segment of the company’s work. They also run various community groups and gatherings that include shared performances and meals, all free of charge. The company has even received “sanctuary status” through the City of Sanctuary program.

By collaborating with people facing challenges and crises, Iftkhar aims to offer the same sense of safety and community she found in dance. Grief Floats stands as a testament to shared mourning and understanding, providing a venue where grief can be acknowledged and carried forward. Creating this public performance from personal grief has been a source of solace for Iftkhar. “It feels like I’m less alone,” she concludes.

• Grief Floats is at King Edward’s Bay, North Tyneside, 28 August-1 September.

Source: The Guardian