INJABULO Get in rhythm
It's a familiar tale. most recently exploited in the hit British film Billy Elliot. Boy dreams of life beyond his immediate realm; father says no. get a proper job; boy struggles and . . . Sunduza Dance Theatre have come from Zimbabwe to give their version of the story. Coming from an a cappella background. they offer high energy dancing. singing and drumming. Their theatrical director. Mandla Sibanda. is keen to point to a pantomime element which gets the younger audience ‘screaming and shouting'. But although the mood is one of fun. Sunduza want their show to have a sense of place. ‘We try to put everything in a context and tell a story.’ says Sibanda. Their show for adults. Matata.’ (T he B/G Problem). is a more politicised tale and has not yet. for fear of governmental repercussions. been performed in its own country. (Ruth Hedges) I George Square Theatre, 662 8740, 2—7 7 Aug, 72. 75pm, £7 (£4).
A MAN AND A WOMAN
Love amid the washing up
“How does love survive in the midst of the washing up?‘ asks
Marianne Rouvier- Angeli. In A Man and A Woman. the London- based choreographer and a pair of gifted actor-dancers develop this basic question via idiosyncratic. pretzel- like physical invention and a great dose of bittersweet charm. 'The piece was motivated by my constant desire to explore the domestic and urban environment,‘ Rouvier- Angeli continues. ‘lt's an observation of the behaviour of two who share intimately a space and some memories. How do they cope with the everyday and the yesterday?‘ Rouvier-Angeli invokes the name Mike Leigh. She was born in Cannes. so it makes sense that her work usually involves a bit of film or cinematic inspiration. Here a suitcase (symbolising the emotional baggage we carry) and a set of French doors make unusual projection surfaces. But this small show's big heart doesn't depend on technological tools. It's humorous. teasing. surprising and intelligently human. (Donald Hutera) I Bed/am Theatre, 225 9893, 5—70 Aug, noon, £5 (£3. 50).
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AURORA NOVA
A packed programme that renogotiates the traditional template
Aurora shoots to score wlth lte profit sharing programme
For artistic director Wolfgang Hoffmann, Aurora Nova is a true labour of love. ‘I have so much criticism for how artists are treated in the Fringe,’ he says. ‘Everyone’s under huge financial pressure to do well. There’s no time for artistic exchange. At Aurora Nova everyone gets an equal share of the profits as well as an opportunity to be equally creative.’
And Hoffmann’s attempts with Komedia to change the pecuniary relationship between impresarios and performers is certainly a welcome change to the traditional Fringe template.
‘There’s no competition - the performers want each individual show on the programme to do well. If a company win an award we all cheer - it’s like everyone has achieved it. More importantly, it allows less established companies to try new things without the usual monetary constraints.’
Covering four continents and ten countries, this year’s programme is innovative and inspired. ‘Some of the works totally blew me away as an artist,’ he says. ‘This is absolutely important theatre.’
Spanish company Nats Nus Dansa presents Ful, merging the creative use of lights, video clips, music and text to create a comical mathematical game. Parisian troupe Au Cul du Loup performs Mousson (Monsoon) where bridges become xylophones, hats turn into Chinese lanterns and oil rigs sing. The wonderful Theatre Bazi showcases its powerful, silent story of a mute deaf child’s disturbing relationship with her carer in The Mute who was Dreamed.
And Hoffmann himself can be seen in Fallen, courtesy of fabrik, alongside four other performers presenting a visual poem through aerial work and live cello music. As is that weren’t enough to tantalise the tastebuds, the incredible Lia Rodriguez performs in Such stuff as we are made of, while DOtheatre return with their new show Upside Down, following their Fringe First win last year. And that’s just for starters. There’s also an impressive line-up from Germany, India and Hungary.
‘The intention is really to have mini~festival within the Fringe,’ says Hoffmann. ‘It’s a celebration of forward-looking work. We look for shows with impact and I think we have some real hot contenders for awards.’
The Aurora Nova name refers to the battleship that fired the first shot in Russia’s October revolution. ‘I love the name - it’s a bold statement. The dawning of a new age maybe. It’s about making the profits secondary and prioritising the quality and enjoyment of the work,’ says Hoffmann. All hail the revolution. (Anna Millar)
I Aurora Nova, St Stephen '3, 558 3853 a Theatre Workshop, 226 5426, 3-26 Aug, times vary, £7—E9.
2-26 AUGUST
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247 1:15am 18-24 @ 5:350m 25-26@ 5:00!!!" excludes 5. 13. 20. august
32 Till LI8'I' FISTIVAL OUIDI 1—8 Aug 2002