THEATRE | Previews
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HIP HOP SHOWCASE OPEN ART SURGERY: EXPERIMENTS IN HIP HOP Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 24 Nov DANCE ADAPTATION 12 DANCERS / DELIBERANCE Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 21 Nov
If you’ve ever felt like giving feedback after a dance show, now’s your chance. Hosted by Breakin’ Convention’s artistic director, Jonzi D, Open Art Surgery is an opportunity for members of the hip hop theatre community to hear what people really think of them. ‘It’s easy to pat each other on the back, but giving a space where constructive criticism is encouraged is very important for the artists,’ he says. ‘But I often have to prompt “negative” feedback, because some audience members feel awkward being critical. Audience members are also encouraged to carry on the conversation in the bar afterwards, which is a “safer” place for those less confident speaking publicly.’
Jonzi has invited some of the major players in Scottish hip hop to take part, most of whom people will remember from this year’s Breakin’ Convention. What is it about these particular artists that Jonzi wants to investigate further?
‘Ashley Jack from Jackin’ the Box has a willingness to tackle serious
subjects and that’s something I’m interested in seeing more of from her,’ says Jonzi. ‘Heavy Smokers are some of the top b-boys in the UK and always open to experimentation, Ready Ready Sauce show a distinct theatrical curiosity in the work they present, and Xena Productions and Beatboxer Bigg Taj want to explore the connections between movement and vocal percussion. Bringing the different elements of hip hop culture together is something very close to my heart and it doesn’t happen enough.’ (Kelly Apter)
Twelve men, one room, two possible outcomes. In 1957, Henry Fonda delivered a stunning performance as a man determined to make his fellow jury members think twice about their guilty verdict. Over 50 years later, choreographer Andy Howitt and composer Stephen Deazley saw the potential of adapting Twelve Angry Men into a piece of dance. ‘Both Stephen and I loved the film,’ says Howitt. ‘The look of it, the fact that it has big themes like guilty and not guilty, the father/son relationship – all of that appealed to us.’ Originally based on a play by Reginald Rose, the film is a powerhouse of taut emotion, all of which Howitt has tried to inject into his choreography and Deazley into his music, which will be performed live.
‘We’ve attempted to get across the difficulties of making a decision that affects another person’s life,’ explains Howitt. ‘How every member of a jury will bring their own history and relationships to that kind of decision-making, and how difficult it is to stand by your convictions in the face of opposition.’
For 12 Dancers / Deliberance, Howitt has recruited some of Scotland’s
finest male dance talent, aged between 27-65. Members of the ‘jury’ include hip hop dancers Daniel Aing, Tony Mills and Allan Irvine, and stalwarts of the contemporary dance scene Matthew Hawkins, Norman Douglas and Ian Spink. ‘Above all I wanted 12 great performers, and we’ve certainly achieved that.’ (Kelly Apter)
MODERN ADAPTATION NEW ADVENTURES: SLEEPING BEAUTY Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Tue 27 Nov–Sat 1 Dec
Tchaikovsky’s big three are the stalwarts of the classical ballet canon. Dance companies around the world have versions of The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake in their repertoire, but none quite like the unique versions that have come out of the New Adventures stable. It’s 20 years since Matthew Bourne’s first dalliance with the late Russian composer, in the shape of the gloriously sugar-coated Nutcracker! Then, in 1995, Bourne changed the face of dance forever with his highly acclaimed all- male Swan Lake.
So it’s only fitting that he should round off his
Tchaikovsky triumvirate with a thoroughly new take on the fairytale classic, Sleeping Beauty. The original ballet premiered in 1890, which is exactly when Bourne has set the first part of his story. As a young woman, we see Aurora restricted by uptight Edwardian society, before waking up one hundred years later in the 21st century, and getting one hell of a shock. Billed as a ‘gothic romance’, Bourne’s production will
be more supernatural love story than Disney fairytale, which is obviously all to the good. And, wise enough to stick with what (or more specifically who) he knows, Bourne has once again brought together his dream team of designers for the project, including the award-winning Lez Brotherston on set and costumes.
If you’re still not convinced, it’s worth remembering
that Matthew Bourne isn’t Britain’s most successful choreographer of all time for nothing. Expect the unexpected and to be unashamedly entertained. (Kelly Apter)
106 THE LIST 15 Nov–13 Dec 2012
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