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The darling of France’s contemporary dance scene, BORIS CHARMATZ, returns to the festival.
Words: Donald Hutera
oris (‘harmat/ made his l'estiyal debttt in NW.
That year he was accorded a retrospectiye ol' his
complete works. .-\l| four of them. He was only in his mid-20s.
.\'o two ol‘ (‘harmat/s perl‘ormances were alike. liach asked a distinct set of questions about the nature ol' theatrical dance as an actiyity to do or see. liach posed dill'erent challenges l‘or body and brain. In one (‘harmatL another man and a woman danced bare—bottomed on separate leyels of a tower backstage at the l‘estiyal Theatre. :\s there was no seating. audience members were Tree to [time around and change perspectiye on the 40min eyent. .\'o one did. Although I stayed in one place. in my head I roamed about the space the whole time. (‘harmat/ had helped l‘ree my imagination.
.\'ow he's back with two unique creations. One is lir‘tim'«derision. ‘probably the most elitist show yet produced by the testiyal‘. wagers l'estiyal director Brian .\1c.\1aster. This 52min piece ol lilmed choreography
34 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE -- '
‘The crucial thing is to stay attentive - or to sleep!’
will be broadcast to a single spectator eyery hour on the hour. 9am to l lpm. But what’s being purchased — priyileged intimacy or claustrophobic conlinement‘.’
(‘harmat/ wants you to decide for. and by. yourself. ‘Thc connection we organise is between the TV box and each \‘lc‘\\'Ct".\ head. It‘s a Very bad dance show because it's not liyc. and because ol' the si/e ol' the box. It's not good tor the smell ol~ dance. But it represents two years ol‘ work rcdttced cooked to almost nothing. Maybe a Viewer will say: "It‘s only TV." The crucial thing is to stay attentiye. ()r to sleep? The reaction you have is not supported by others.’
(‘harmat/ takes a more populated. but not populist. route in .S'Iumrs'. llere he's both curator of and participant in a two-hour series ol‘ installations. perl'ormances and films at the lidinburgh (‘ollege ol‘.’\rt. Their shared starting point examines concepts of the body. ‘I start to think lilm and installation are new ways l‘or dance to escape.‘ (‘harmat/ says. playl‘ul yet serious. When he starts mentioning washing machines. meat grinders and pinpoints ol light. you wonder how broad the definition ol' dance cart he. That's the point.
héatre-élévision, Dunard Library, the Hub, 473 2000, 9—13 Aug, hourly performances between 9am—1 1pm, £5; Statuts, Edinburgh College of Art, 473 2000, 17—22 Aug, 8pm, £10.
dance@list.co.uk
HIT >l<
FESTIVAL DANCE
Make all the right moves
I héétre-élévision The darling of France's contemporary dance scene, made his Festival debut in 1999. This year he frees the imagination with what's been dubbed one of the most elitist shows of the festival. See preview. Dunard Library, the Hub. 473 2000, 9—7 3 Aug. 9am—7 7pm, $5
I Luminous Stuart Jackson lights up the international festival with this mesmerising two-part show. Blind since birth he uses sense and touch, rather than sight, to interact with the world. With Japanese choreographer Saburo Teshigawara at the helm expect something simply breathtaking. See preview. Edinburgh Playhouse. 473 2000. 72—74 Aug, 7.30pm, E5—Q23
I The Mute Who Was Dreamed The fantastic Theatre Bazi troupe present this beautifully dark piece which depicts the disturbing relationship between a deaf. blind mute girl and her abusive carer. Theatre Workshop, 226 5425, until 24 Aug (not 72 8t 79). times vary, E7—£‘9.
I Dance Base Get along and see the final few days of this mixed contemporary programme. The line-up features work from the lovely Rosie Kay. humorous contemporary dance from Air Dance Company and Scottish Dance Theatre. and some seriously funky Pacific song and dance from the inimitable Mika. See review. Dance Base. 225 5525. until It Aug (classes until 37 Aug) [5—28.
I Bounce A spectacular show which takes the coolest street dancing, from boogaloo to breaking and popping. and turns it into a slick and polished hi- octane show. This is a strong contender to be the feelgood hit of the festival. See review. Assembly Rooms, 226 2428, until 26 Aug (not 73 8. 20), times vary, $70—$77 (29-870).