A civil case is due in the Circuit Court today over a dance performance which involved nudity and urination on stage. Mr Raymond Whitehead, represented by Collins Crowley Solicitors, is suing the International Dance Festival for breach of contract and negligence.
The case refers to performances in May 2002 of Jerome Bel's show, also called Jerome Bel, at the Project Arts Centre as part of Ireland's first International Dance Festival.
The civil bill's claim is for damages for breach of contract and negligence. It claims that on or about May 16th, 2002, the plaintiff entered the theatre, and that one of the performers performed obscene and indecent acts on stage, in particular urination and genital exposure, which caused the plaintiff distress, shock and upset, and caused him to leave the theatre.
The plaintiff claims that the contract implied that the defendant would not expose the plaintiff to indecent, obscene or lewd acts which would be likely to cause upset, shock or distress to persons of normal sensitivity, or to expose a risk to the health and safety of the plaintiff.
He claims the terms of said contract implied that the performance would consist of dance and/or theatre and not excretory bodily functions in front of and in close proximity to the plaintiff.
Paris-based choreographer and dancer Jerome Bel's work is a mix of dance, theatre and live art. The show was lit by a single light bulb, and performed to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, sung live by one of the five performers.
Reviewing the show for this newspaper, Michael Seaver wrote: "It mightn't sound promising, but any description of Jerome Bel will fail to reflect this wonderful and compelling performance."