Solitude without Loneliness

This is a new work from choreographer Malcolm Sutherland, completed in Spring 2025. The work has had two showings at:

• Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, February 2025
• The Byre Theatre, St Andrews, April 2025
• and is currently planning a short fringe run at Dance Base in Edinburgh, August 2025

Show Description

‘Solitude without Loneliness’ delves into the often-misunderstood distinction between these two states, both born from isolation. Though vastly different, they exist so closely intertwined that the line between them can feel almost invisible.

In this evocative piece, bodies and characters collapse, separate, and reform in a constant search for meaning, attachment, and understanding. Voices extend from these bodies as they navigate busy streets, seeking comfort in their unique landscapes. This exhausting yet familiar quest for connection unfolds through moments of humour, intimacy, and longing.

From karaoke bars to restaurants, this contemporary dance work combines text, movement and situational absurdity. Solitude without Loneliness invites empathy through the cyclical endurance of the performers, reminding us of the universal desire for union with one another and with ourselves.