Produced by Manoel Theatre and performed by the Moveo Dance Company, Frida Kahlo – Defining Moments focuses on the iconic artist’s tumultuous life told through movement.

A new dance production about the life of Frida Kahlo is soon to take to the stage at the Manoel Theatre.

Frida Kahlo – Defining Moments follows the life of the legendary Mexican artist, from her thought-provoking art to her unconventional behaviour. Award-winning choreographer and dancer Diane Portelli has created the Manoel Theatre production, drawing on the famed artist’s strength as well as her humanity.

“Nothing was straightforward with Frida, which makes her life story so relatable until this very day,” explains Portelli. “Frida was an inspiration and symbol of strength. She became a world-famous artist from a small Mexican village, in a male-dominated period.

“She defied social expectations and fought for what she believed was right. She was as flawed as she was gifted, and this made her human. The emotional intensity and imaginative scope of her work is extremely inspirational for me as a woman, as a choreographer, but most of all, as a person.”

Frida Kahlo. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Giving tribute to one of the world’s most groundbreaking women of her time, Frida Kahlo – Defining Moments encapsulates the artist’s passion for Mexico, her love affairs, her renowned Mexican artist and political activist husband Diego Rivera as well as her heartbreak and physical pain.

To convey Kahlo’s distinct physical characteristics and her inspiration for such vivid works of art, the dancers from Moveo immersed themselves in an intense, collaborative creative process.

The emotional intensity of Kahlo’s work is extremely inspirational

Meanwhile, costume designer Ritianne Zammit and music composer Albert Garzia complement Portelli’s choreography in reflecting the artist’s passion for her Mexican culture and the strong political statements she made through her traditional Tijuana clothing.

Moveo Dance Company produces contemporary dance performances both locally and internationally in London, Berlin, Washington DC, Denmark, Bruno Cz, Liberec Cz and Romania.

In 2016, Diane Portelli became a director at Moveo, winning, alongside artistic director Dorian Mallia, the prestigious Premju Għall-Arti award as Artists of the Year 2018.

The dancers from Moveo immersed themselves in an intense, collaborative creative process in preparation for the performance.

Moveo Dance Company has received the Best Creative Enterprise Award, as well as the people’s choice award for Best Production for its Diversely Typical performance at Esplora’s first edition of the STEM Awards for Arts, Science and Technology. As the recipient of the ICO fund, Moveo is also one of the creative partners of Arts Council Malta.

“We are delighted to collaborate once again with Moveo Dance Company and welcome to the Manoel stage their unique take on the life of this truly extraordinary artist,” says Teatru Manoel CEO, Massimo Zammit.

“This Manoel Theatre commission is an ideal opportunity not just to delve deeper into the life of Frida Kahlo, but to experience an unforgettable original dance performance created by some of Malta’s finest artists.”

Frida Kahlo – Defining Moments will be performed at Teatru Manoel on June 10, 11 and 12 at 8pm. Tickets are available by e-mailing bookings@teatrumanoel.mt, by phone on 2124 6389 or online at www.teatrumanoel.mt.