Return of the Light (2026)

Composer note
Return of the Light is a dance work that sits in juxtaposition to Stravinskyʼs iconic Rite of Spring. Taking place within the final daylight hours of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, the work follows a village through the darkness of the shortest day and into the emerging light of a new day.

— Ian Cusson

Movements
Part I - The Darkness
1. The Land is covered in snow
2. The Gathering
3. The Lighting of the Candles
4. The Story

Part II - The Light
1. Introduction - The Meal
2. The Caribou
3. The Northern Lights

Scenario
PART I – The Darkness

It is afternoon on the winter solstice. The young ones appear, but scatter as the adults gather. The young ones play. The adults break up their fighting. As the light dims, the old ones gather and the children are still. The oldest one acknowledges the youngest one and the youngest one steps forward hesitantly. The youngest one lights the candles. The space glows, bathed in candlelight. The flames flicker and dance.

The adults call the young ones to the story. All gather and the storyteller invites the young ones to play the roles.

  Once there was a young man who wanted to be a great hunter. One day he went hunting. A duck appeared and the young hunter fired. Surprised by his good fortune he was emboldened. A goose appeared. He shot it, and then a rabbit, too. “I am a great hunter,” he thought to himself.
  A deer appeared, then a moose. He shot them both. “I am, indeed the greatest hunter,” he said to himself. Finally, a buffalo appeared. He shot it as well.
  Tired, he headed back to his village carrying the birds and the rabbit. He slumped down to rest. In the distance, he heard sounds from his village. He arose and ran the rest of the way.
  “There,” he said, throwing down the animals. “Someone come and help me bring the rest.”
  The old ladies shook their heads when they saw all the animals being carried in.
  “You see?” the young man said. “I am the greatest hunter in the village.” Again the old ladies shook their heads.
  “Whatʼs wrong? I provided enough meat for everyone.”
  One lady stepped forward. “Itʼs too much, nephew. We donʼt need all this meat at once. A great hunter takes only what is needed. Come,” said the old lady to the other women.
  “You should be grateful that you have such a great hunter in your village,” said the young hunter.
  The old woman answered: “We will have to work hard to prepare all this meat so it does not spoil.”
  “But you should be grateful!” the young man insisted.
  “I am grateful,” the old woman said. “I am grateful to this duck…to this goose…to this rabbit…to this deer…this moose…this buffalo, who gave themselves to our village.
  “Are you thankful to them nephew? Did you thank them for their gift?”

PART II – The Light

It is now evening of the winter solstice. Everyone gathers around the table for the meal. One of the elders prays over the food. The spirit plate is prepared. They feast.

The caribou appear on the horizon. They dance.

The Northern Lights appear. They dance.

The morning light appears over the horizonʼs edge. It is a new day.