Salute
Live art event, 2004 - ongoing

Salute is a performance staged in the rigging of Tall Ships, which transforms a maritime peace gesture from the age of sail of 'Manning the Yards' into flamboyant visual theatre.

Combining dramatic interpretations of maritime signalling and sailing practices with aerial and dance techniques this event celebrates the courage and skills of the sailors who worked 'aloft' through a stunning array of synchronised movements and graceful aerial stunts.

Salute's choreography references the rituals of military and maritime protocols but contrasts these with extravagant gestures of musical chorus lines, playing the stiffness of formal formations against loose flourishes of slapstick humour and the burlesque.

The formal display of 'Manning the Yards' will be transformed through a series of exuberant synchronised high leg kicks, can cans, razzmatazz semaphor and graceful cartwheels across the yards.

Through the cheeky interpretations of familiar public displays, Salute will present an accessable and entertaining spectacle that will appeal to a wide audience, offering an attractive and educational compliment to a number of arts and maritime festivals.

The event is in development for presentation in Liverpool, London and Portsmouth and may be toured to other historic docks and quaysides in the UK and Internationally.

It may be adapted and developed to respond to the specific historical legacies and framings of each location and presents many exciting opportunities for educational and community activities based around the pertinent themes and histories that the show references.

This project is generously supported by an artsadmin mid career bursary, ArtSway, numerous individuals in the maritime community. It has recently been awarded a Research and Development grant by the ACE London Office.

Further information
Contact Charlie Murphy on 07855328565 or email charliemurphy99@hotmail.com