NIGHTSHADE
Something of the
10 THE LIST 21 Jun 1') Jul 9007
A piece of contemporary dance performed by strippers? As the director behind Aalst returns to Scotland, Kirstin Innes investigates his latest production, Nightshade
t’s an intriguing premise: commissioning
seven of the most exciting young
choreographers in liurope to create a striptease. working with real strip artists rather than professional dancers. Definitely worthy of a few good tabloid headlines . . . ‘.’
'Yes.' says Pol Heyvaert. director of Belgian theatre company Victoria. wearily. “There was a huge reaction from the [Belgian] press when we first performed it. liverybody was very interested. and I don't know that they would have been if they thought it was “real theatre" or “real dance".‘
For all the sensationalism in the premise. those seeking cheap thrills or a spot of frothy tassel-twirling might be better off elsewhere. The last production Heyvaert directed in Scotland was Aalst. an unflinching. harrowing collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland (itself adapted from Victoria's original production). which saw David Mackay and Red Road‘s Kate Dickie play a couple who had murdered their children. Niglitslzmlo looks even less prone to timidity.
Only two of the seven striptease pieces present what a Scottish audience might understand as a conventional striptease. Johanne Saunier‘s piece focuses on (iidi Meesters. the only male performer in the production. every inch the oiled-up Chippendale from his well-stuffed white briefs to the jacket slung over his shoulder. Alain Platel (also known to Tramway audiences for his involvement with Les Ballets (‘ de la B) directs Caroline Lemaire‘s strip through