As the viewers sit down, a video of a digital clock is projected on to the stage curtain. The numbers on this clock are comprised of individuals; legs and arms at proper angles forming an ideal ‘19:30’. This proved to be an indication of what was to return – video know-how and sensible bodily theatre, presenting one thing everyone knows in a radical and delightful new manner. ALiCE, a up to date dance adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, is a vibrant and contemporary rendition of the basic story. The narrative follows Alice on a psychedelic journey to Wonderland on…
Rating
Unmissable!
★★★★★ Enchanting storytelling via distinctive and detailed motion. ALIcE is a feat in trendy dance theatre.
As the viewers sit down, a video of a digital clock is projected on to the stage curtain. The numbers on this clock are comprised of individuals; legs and arms at proper angles forming an ideal ‘19:30’. This proved to be an indication of what was to return – video know-how and sensible bodily theatre, presenting one thing everyone knows in a radical and delightful new manner.
ALiCE, a up to date dance adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, is a vibrant and contemporary rendition of the basic story. The narrative follows Alice on a psychedelic journey to Wonderland on which she is confronted by her personal identification in a world that warps each visually on stage for the viewers and emotionally for the character. Gender, energy, and love are interrogated all through, significantly in a brief sequence coping with home violence. Through motion a nuanced and sophisticated depiction of relationships is achieved, discussing the steadiness and intrinsic hyperlink between intercourse and violence, pleasure and ache.
Multiple totally different types of dance are applied all through, married with stunning sound design by Jasmin Vardimon and Joel Cahen. All of them match the ambiance of their moments completely. Vardimon’s choreography is genius. Innovative and unique motion is fixed, but all the numbers really feel essential to the story; not merely embellishment for the sake of magnificence. The dancers carry out with crystal clear intention and absolute integrity. The complete firm exhibits acrobatic and gravity defying energy alongside fantastically refined subtlety. The unison on this piece is incomparable, and to be sincere a privilege to witness.
The set by Guy Bar-Amotz and Vardimon is dynamic and imposing. A huge ebook is turned on stage by our spirit information, a vaping caterpillar, and Alice journeys via the seemingly endless pages. This model actually offers us her perspective in a contemporary context: somebody misplaced in her personal ‘story’. The manufacturing is laden with imagery, some summary and a few concrete, however all the time distinctive, intelligible, and thought scary. The format of a ebook on stage permits the motion to vary in dimension and perspective, permitting the viewers into Alice’s thoughts in addition to presenting fairly flat imagery for speaking wider narrative.
This piece is true dance theatre. It straddles each kinds however loses nothing from both. It is uncommon that dance, being rehearsed to the fraction of a second, can really feel as embodied and alive because it does on this efficiency. And it’s even rarer for a bit with no phrases to have as robust a narrative as this. It is a masterclass of performing and dance. I not often overlook I’m in a theatre however ALiCE is completely mesmerising and utterly transported me into the world of the piece. This is a lovely piece of dramatic artwork that revels in its inherent absurdity.
Concept, Direction & Choreography by: Jasmin Vardimon MBE
Created with & Performed by: Donny Beau Ferris, Sabrina Gargano, Evie Hart, David Lloyd, Sean Moss, Hobie Schouppe, Juliette Tellier
Set Design by: Guy Bar-Amotz & Jasmin Vardimon
Lighting & Projection Design by: Andrew Crofts
Costume Design by: Elisabeth Sur & Dorota Wieckowska
Sound Design by: Jasmin Vardimon & Joel Cahen
ALiCE performed at Sadler’s Wells as a part of a nationwide tour. It subsequent performs DanceEast in Ipswich 16 – 18 December. More info right here.