Festival Dance list.co.uk/festival
TEMPEST: WITHOUT A BODY AND BIRDS WITH SKYMIRRORS Most definitely not your standard dance fare, these two works by New Zealand-based choreographer Lemi Ponifasio and his company MAU blend theatre, choreography and ritual to create something thought-provoking and unique. Don’t be put off by the pace (this guy likes things slow), just use the time to ‘stop and reflect’, as Ponifasio suggests. Tempest contemplates modern-day terrorism via Shakespeare and Paul Klee, while Skymirrors explores climate change and our place on Earth. ■ Edinburgh Playhouse, 473 2000, 14 & 15 Aug (Tempest), 8pm; 17 & 18 Aug (Birds), 8pm (Tue) & 2.30pm (Wed), £8–£28.50.
5QUESTIONS
4 reasons people should come and see Castle Rocks and Set It Off The atmosphere at Castle Rocks is one of the best at the Fringe; Set It Off is a brand new streetdance choreography competition with lots of short, high- energy, exciting routines; the workshops at Dance Base where you can learn from our international guests; the shows are action packed – you’ll hear great music and witness jaw- dropping moves. 3 other dance shows you’ll be checking out at the Fringe Brazil! Brazil!; Cargo; and I’ll definitely head into Dance Base because they always have a great range of work on. 2 words to sum up the atmosphere at a battle Unpredictable; dramatic. 1 thing people should know about Moving in Circles We love hip hop dance culture and are passionate about it being projected in the correct light. (Interview by Kelly Apter) ■ City Edinburgh, 226 0000, 14 Aug, 1pm (Castle Rocks); 21 Aug, 1pm (Set It Off), £9–£10 (£9).
Peter Maniam tells us why Castle Rocks and Set It Off should have our heads in a spin 5 things you love about breakdancing. The physicality – B-Boys and Girls push their bodies to the extreme, with nothing more than their own physical ability, blood, sweat and tears; the controversy – breaking has no governing body so judges rely on their own experience. Decisions often lead to controversy, and spontaneous 54 THE LIST 12–19 Aug 2010
grudge battles can happen when you least expect it; the music – from soul, funk, Latin, disco and hip hop, there’s such a rich tradition of great music that b-boying has helped to popularise and preserve; the blow-ups – an explosive move that appears to come from nowhere – it might be a flip, trick or freeze; the community – fierce rivalries have always existed in breaking, but behind the bravado there is a very tight- knit community who enjoy training, sharing and partying together.
Hitlist FESTIVAL DANCE *
✽✽ Flawless – Chase the Dream High energy, well- dressed, pacy streetdance from the Britain’s Got Talent finalists. See review, page 56. Udderbelly’s Pasture, 08445 458 252, until 30 Aug (not 16), 3.45pm, £13.50–£16.50 (£12.50–£15). Previews 5 & 6 Aug, 3.45pm, £8. ✽✽ Brazil! Brazil! Two of Brazil’s finest exponents – Samba and football – come together in this lively mix of music, dance and soccer. See review, page 56. Udderbelly’s Pasture, 08445 458252, until 30 Aug (not 16) 6.55pm, £12.50–£15 (£11.50–£13.50). ✽✽ Inside Brazilian-born choreographer Jean Abreu uses his all-male company to explore the desperation and hope of prison life. Accompanied live by instrumental guitar band 65daysofstatic. See review, page 56. Zoo Roxy, 662 6892, until 14 Aug, 6.25pm, £12. ✽✽ Blood, Sweat and Tears The hazy days at home with a newborn baby are recreated on stage by Newcastle-based balletLORENT in an imaginative piece. See preview, page 55. Zoo Roxy, 662 6892, 13-21 Aug (not 17), 1pm, £10 (£8). ✽✽ Tap Ole Flamenco meets tap dancing for a mix of pounding rhythms and jazz hands. See review, page 55. C Plaza, 0845 260 1234, until 30 Aug (not 17), 7.15pm, £9.50–£11.50 (£6.50–£8.50). ✽✽ MAU Two works from Samoan-born, New Zealand- based choreographer, Lemi Ponifasio, that aim to challenge the way you view theatre. See Big Pic, left. Edinburgh Playhouse, 473 2000, 14 & 15 Aug (Tempest: Without a Body), 8pm; 17 & 18 Aug (Birds With Skymirrors), 8pm (Tue) & 2.30pm (Wed), £8–£28.50. ✽✽ Rhythms With Soul Flamenco with a modern twist, from Seville’s Miguel Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre. See review, page 55. New Town Theatre, Freemason’s Hall, 220 0143, until 29 Aug (not 17) 3.50pm, £11–£13. For Festival index see page 136.