Have you ever taken LSD?
Sept. 29 2011
Review of Relay choreographed by Ame Henderson
-Oliver Koomsatira
Marie Claire Forté, Katie Ewald, Mairéad Filgate, Bee Pallomina / ©Omer Yukseker
Relay, choreographed by Ame Henderson is one of those shows that blast away the boundaries of human logic. Unless you're a seasoned, experimental show aficionado, you come out of there thinking you just walked off a whole other galaxy. Perhaps, somewhere in the universe a few lightyears away, there are creatures who behave like the dancers in this piece, at least we hope so because their likeable strangeness is very refreshing.
At first, your rational mind tries to understand what's going on, as it usually does. After it becomes exhausted of not being able to put what it's receiving into coherent thoughts, it gives into the wonder and begins to contemplate of a whole other way of perceiving the outside world. The dancers's once bizarre behaviours become familiar and mysteriously understandable. We catch on soon enough that everything is pretty much meant to be backwards and that's what makes the piece so interesting.
You're most likely familiar with the concept of thinking outside the box. To give you an idea, this show is like: your head is in a box, you pull your head out of the box, you walk out of the room, get out of the building, take your car to the airport, fly across the world to the most random place you can imagine, spin on yourself 37 times, and then, only then, you start thinking, only to realize your head was never in the box to begin with, the box is in your head…and your head is growing out of a leprechaun's shoulder.
Seeing this show, not only are we thinking outside the box, but everything from the music, to the light design, to the choreography, to the usual ritual of theatre going is transformed from what you're used to, to…Relay quantum leap weirdness. No stone has been left unturned in the process discovering a new way of putting together a show. You're in for a ride you won't forget. Or understand. At least, you'll make up your own interpretation of what you saw and the feelings you'll feel will be your very own, probably considerably different from neighbour's feelings.
A tremendous amount of thought seems to have been put into the research and creation of this mind-boggling production. Combining highly theatrical sequences with completely abstract concepts and uncanny choreographies, on a set that simply captivates your sight, your eyes have a buffet of options to pick from, from beginning to end.
This type of creative diversity is good for culture and the human psyche in general. Talking about culture, it would have been quite the treat to have Prime Minister Harper at the opening night performance yesterday, he would probably have…God knows what he would have thought, said or done. Those of you who saw the show or will see it, are sure to understand what I mean. On second thought, it's probably a good thing he wasn't there. In any case, seeing him in Quebec, let alone at Agora de la danse would be, how can I put it, unlikely? Who knows, after seeing this show, anything seems possible. I hope my dreams become as colourful as this piece is, that way I'll have a good reason to have daily siestas.
Relay will be on until the 1st of October. For more info, visit the website of Agora de la danse.
http://www.agoradanse.com/en/spectacles/2011/relay
At first, your rational mind tries to understand what's going on, as it usually does. After it becomes exhausted of not being able to put what it's receiving into coherent thoughts, it gives into the wonder and begins to contemplate of a whole other way of perceiving the outside world. The dancers's once bizarre behaviours become familiar and mysteriously understandable. We catch on soon enough that everything is pretty much meant to be backwards and that's what makes the piece so interesting.
You're most likely familiar with the concept of thinking outside the box. To give you an idea, this show is like: your head is in a box, you pull your head out of the box, you walk out of the room, get out of the building, take your car to the airport, fly across the world to the most random place you can imagine, spin on yourself 37 times, and then, only then, you start thinking, only to realize your head was never in the box to begin with, the box is in your head…and your head is growing out of a leprechaun's shoulder.
Seeing this show, not only are we thinking outside the box, but everything from the music, to the light design, to the choreography, to the usual ritual of theatre going is transformed from what you're used to, to…Relay quantum leap weirdness. No stone has been left unturned in the process discovering a new way of putting together a show. You're in for a ride you won't forget. Or understand. At least, you'll make up your own interpretation of what you saw and the feelings you'll feel will be your very own, probably considerably different from neighbour's feelings.
A tremendous amount of thought seems to have been put into the research and creation of this mind-boggling production. Combining highly theatrical sequences with completely abstract concepts and uncanny choreographies, on a set that simply captivates your sight, your eyes have a buffet of options to pick from, from beginning to end.
This type of creative diversity is good for culture and the human psyche in general. Talking about culture, it would have been quite the treat to have Prime Minister Harper at the opening night performance yesterday, he would probably have…God knows what he would have thought, said or done. Those of you who saw the show or will see it, are sure to understand what I mean. On second thought, it's probably a good thing he wasn't there. In any case, seeing him in Quebec, let alone at Agora de la danse would be, how can I put it, unlikely? Who knows, after seeing this show, anything seems possible. I hope my dreams become as colourful as this piece is, that way I'll have a good reason to have daily siestas.
Relay will be on until the 1st of October. For more info, visit the website of Agora de la danse.
http://www.agoradanse.com/en/spectacles/2011/relay