ROBBIE McDonald, artistic director of the Firkin Crane Centre in Cork, in pursuit of his policy of promoting new work with Irish choreographers and dancers, has brought back from England one of our earlier dance successes, writes Carolyn Swift. Dubliner Andrew Wilson, who completed his training at the Royal Ballet School and went on to dance principal roles with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, before turning to choreography and teaching, is currently in Cork creating a 10 minute, dance work called Zoku.

Commissioned by the Arts Council, Zoku will be at the Firkin Crane on Sunday, October 20th, in a double bill with a contemporary piece by Cork dancer Jane Kelligan. Zoka, meaning "tribe" in Japanese, is set to the music of Kodo Drums, a Japanese all male group who play traditional Taiko drums with vocal backing. It is a challenging, experimental piece.

Certainly, Mary Brady has taken up her appointment at the Firkin Crane as dance development officer at an exciting time. Events coming up include a return visit to the Firkin Crane by the Welsh Gwent Ballet in November. This will be part of a dance week run in association with the Opera House, which will present the Ukrainian State Ballet in Giselle and Nutcracker.