November 15, 2006
A metal grid encasing domestic appliances provides 'Stan Won't Dance' with a performance area at stage level and above. From the top of the grid angels (or demons?) descend into a kitchen where a domestic is brewing between a man and a woman. There is thumping rave music and breathtaking aerial stunts as the leather clad spirits direct a sadomasochistic relationship on earth through its highs-and lows. Outstanding moments of choreography abound as the other worldly beings hang from the top of the grid and mirror the movements of the earthlings below, using their limbs to physically move the man and woman around the kitchen space. 'Revelations' follows the man and woman from their chance meeting in a club through to the events that lead up to a tragic ending. A burlesque ballerina prostitute dancing en pointe around the set's central pole visits the man whilst the woman is tempted by Satan (or is it God?).
The work could be viewed either as pure theatre or as pure dance but it is more thrilling to enjoy it as the new direction in physical theatre it undoubtedly is. The company cite film as a medium that influences their work and they aim to produce a show where many different media are incorporated to make one creative piece. This always starts with the concept.
The biblical text of 'Revelations' is reflected in the piece on many different levels. There is the cyclical nature of man never learning from the lessons of his forefathers and a continual sense of impending doom runs through the show. At a time when natural disasters seem endemic, the show provokes reflection on how the real disasters that affect our life are sometimes to do with global events as well as close relationships. There is some sparkling narration by an emcee-styled Satan (or God?) who pulls off some of the text's more controversial lines. So mischievous is he that if your personal relationships are experiencing difficulty you may want to blame him. But who is this ebullient, charismatic, glittering man; Satan or God? Like the book of Revelations this work has more than one interpretation (and a cracking finale). Apocalypse Now!
The work could be viewed either as pure theatre or as pure dance but it is more thrilling to enjoy it as the new direction in physical theatre it undoubtedly is. The company cite film as a medium that influences their work and they aim to produce a show where many different media are incorporated to make one creative piece. This always starts with the concept.
The biblical text of 'Revelations' is reflected in the piece on many different levels. There is the cyclical nature of man never learning from the lessons of his forefathers and a continual sense of impending doom runs through the show. At a time when natural disasters seem endemic, the show provokes reflection on how the real disasters that affect our life are sometimes to do with global events as well as close relationships. There is some sparkling narration by an emcee-styled Satan (or God?) who pulls off some of the text's more controversial lines. So mischievous is he that if your personal relationships are experiencing difficulty you may want to blame him. But who is this ebullient, charismatic, glittering man; Satan or God? Like the book of Revelations this work has more than one interpretation (and a cracking finale). Apocalypse Now!