HOFESH SHECHTER:IN YOUR ROOMS / UPRISING
Posted March 1, 2009 – 4:56 pm in: Art
Hofesh Schecter’s ‘In Your Rooms’ is a captivating and original performance. It combines a live band at the top of the stage with contemporary dance. There is a really interesting relationship between the band’s music and the dancers- sometimes you can only see one drummer with the dancers and in other parts they all perform together. There were times when these two elements where competing with each other and it was difficult to focus. The dancers movements were amazing, a celebration of what the human body is capable of.
One of the main themes is individuality. You often see a group of dancers doing a routine while one of them is rebelling against it and choosing to do something else. At one stage, one the dancers hold a sign saying ‘Don’t follow leader’ which is later flipped to ‘Follow me’.
At some other parts a confused voice over discusses important philosophical questions: ‘What should I do next?” , “Can someone tell me what should I do?”.
“I think I can do this better” the voice over is saying and then “Actually I can’t…”. The process of creation is evident. How do we feel when we create something? Are we happy with it? Do we challenge ourselves to make it better and when is it ready to be released?
Another interesting routine was when a group of dancers climb on top of each other until one of them pulls out a kind of a victory flag and then they are all still as if they were a statue.
The standing places at the Roundhouse was not the best choice to see this performance. It is important to see the whole stage and from these places you could only focus on one element at a time, not to mention adventurous young crowd constantly trying to improve their viewing position…
Did you see this performance?
What did you think?
