Snake In The Geisha Palm
Pegasus Theatre, Thu 24th - Sat 26th May, 2007 |
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This new work from Oxford dance company Gelede combines modern dance and martial arts with a striking result.
Performed in the intimate confines of the Pegasus Theatre, a series of highly energetic pieces bring to life the story of geishas rivalling for the affections of a man. The rivalry of the two geishas is adopted by their respective trainees, and makes for the most volatile part of the performance as they quarrel to secure the affections for their geisha. However, after a frantic night of sake consumption, the geishas have a change of heart and turn the tables on the snake that was destroying their lives through jealously. The five dancers use a range of movements to convey mood and emotions – at times floating across the stage, and at times sparring aggressively. The soundtrack drives the movement with its take on traditional Japanese music; flutes and drums are mixed to produce a sometimes electronic-sounding score. The music lacks the melody and elegance more often associated with traditional Japanese flute, which conveys a modern and minimalist feeling to the performance. A simple set, which consists of a cluster of bamboo in a corner, shows off the elegant detailing of the costumes spectacularly. Key props are vibrant red fans, and the bamboo sticks used by the Bagua martial arts practitioner. At several points abstract images of the dancers are projected on the screen, adding another visual dimension. This is an explosive, high energy work which kept the audience engaged throughout the hour length. The simple but interesting story provides an excellent platform for this dance performance, and will appeal to a range of audiences. On a practical note, the theatre does get very warm during the performance and thus removable layers or light clothing are recommended! Kate Bottriell, 24/05/07 |
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