DECIPHERS
JEAN ABREU & NAISHI
WANG
A powerful and revelatory duet about communication, connection, and identity by acclaimed choreographers Naishi Wang (Canada/China) and Jean Abreu (UK/Brazil), addressing translation not only as a linguistic act but as an emotional and cultural negotiation.
“At a time when the word immigrant carries so much conflict and tension, it feels like a true gift for us to present Deciphers in a country that is my chosen home and has welcomed multiple generations of immigrants.” – Jean Abreu
A moving, multi-sensory work, Deciphers transforms the stage into a living canvas. Through Chinese Folk Dance, Brazilian movement, spoken word, breath, and ink on paper, Wang and Abreu use the body as a primal tool of expression. The result is a mesmerising journey, potent and emotionally resonant, by two artists international in talent and scope
AN INTERVIEW WITH JEAN ABREU AND NAISHI WANG:
CAST AND CREATIVES
Created and Performed by
Light Design by
Visual Design by
Music / Composition by
Dramaturg
Outside Eye
Voice Coach
Rehearsal Director
Access Consultant
Naishi Wang and Jean Abreu
Lucie Bazzo
Ivy Wang
Olesia Onykiienko
Guy Cools
Ginelle Chagnon
Fides Krucker
Xing Bang Fu
Zed Lightheart
The 2025 UK tour is kindly supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario, The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation and the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom as well as the Embassy of Brazil in London, The Coronet Theatre, co-presented by FABRIC as part of THIS IS DANCE, Dance City and Brighton Dome.
Deciphers was supported and funded by the National Arts Centre (NAC) Visiting Dance Artist programme, The Candance Network small-scale creation fund, Canada Council for the Arts Performing Arts Technical Residency programme at Harbourfront Center (Toronto), Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Arts Council England, Canadian High Commission UK.
UK Partners: Fabric (Birmingham & Nottingham), Dance City (Newcastle), Brighton Dome (Brighton), South East Dance (Brighton), Towner Gallery (Eastbourne)
Canada Partners: The CanDance Network (Toronto), National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Harbourfront Centre (Toronto), MAI Montréal, Arts interculturels (Montréal), PuSh Festival (Vancouver), DanceWorks (Toronto), New Works (Vancouver), Citadel (Toronto)
Brazilian-born Jean Abreu blends the rhythms of Brazilian dance with cutting-edge contemporary choreography.
Since founding Jean Abreu Dance in 2009, his bold works have toured the UK, Europe, China, and Brazil, from the Royal Opera House to São Paulo’s Auditório Ibirapuera. Known for striking collaborations with Gilbert & George, Elisa Bracher, and Topher Campbell, Jean continues to push boundaries, currently creating a new work inspired by Derek Jarman's legacy as well as DEFFUTURISMO & DARKRUIM with Disabled Dance artist João Paulo Lima premiering at South East Dance in November.
NAISHI WANG
China-born, Toronto-based Naishi Wang fuses martial arts and Chinese Classical and Folk dance into a dynamic contemporary language.
After nine years with Toronto Dance Theatre, he launched a thriving career as an independent artist, collaborating internationally with Christoph Winkler and premiering his acclaimed solo Taking Breath in 2018.
Audience Experience Manager
Giudi Di Gesaro
Theatre Administrator / PA to the Artistic Director
Vihaan Chandy
Duty Managers
Producing & Marketing Assistant
Esme Bishop
Francesca Battinieri, Joanna Papanastassiou, Hazel Townsend, Aylin Rodoplu
Box Office Assistant
Ivana Dieli
Front of House Staff
Maria Lisberg-Jonasson, Andreane
Rellou, Thea Gavanski, Eugénie Bakker, Emma Laird-Craig, Scarlett Stitt, Dominika Jarečná, Hamza Mullick, Stefanie Bruckner, Juliet Dempsey, Katrina Foster, Stephanie Christodoulidou, Annabelle Gardner, Aidan Bose-Rosling, Li Ikoku-Smith, Merilee Ettia, Matilda Badziak, Francesca Slater, Trey Francis
Trustees
Linda Bernhardt, Mike Fisher, Mimi Gilligan, Jane Quinn, Anda Winters, Bill Winters (Chair)
