A Floor, Some Thoughts, and Us
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Waterfront, Wellington
25/02/2021 - 28/02/2021
Production Details
With its trademark exploratory energy, this year’s ChoreoCo show, A Floor, Some Thoughts, and Us, is devised by dynamic choreographer Jeremy Beck. In its 8th year featuring on the New Zealand Fringe Festival calendar, ChoreoCo is Footnote’s short-term company of exciting dance artists. An homage to films that are set in one location, A Floor, Some Thoughts, and Us, sees five characters attempt to communicate with a mysterious entity. Broadcasting a lively dance-floor and some serious-looking equipment, A Floor, Some Thoughts, and Us is full of deadpan humour and massive dance moves.
https://fringe.co.nz/show/a-floor-some-thoughts-and-us
Footnote NZ Dance Choreoco Company
Katrina George, Holly Hepburn, Celia Hext, Caspar Ilschner and Neve Pierce, created with choreographer Jeremy Beck/Concept, Choreography, Set Design Lighting Design and Operttion Tony Black, Sound Desigh Benny Jennings and Jeremy Beck, Graphic Design Kosta Bogoiebvski.
Experimental dance , Dance-theatre , Dance , Contemporary dance ,
60 mins
Fabulously nimble, proficient dancers
Review by Helen Balfour 26th Feb 2021
Footnote New Zealand presents the Choreoco season of A Floor Some Thoughts and Us. TV screens, consoles, a communication tower, stuffed couches, potted plants, random bits of this and that and performers shifting from technician to curious movers, sets the slightly seedy, studio-warehouse feel to the space as the enthusiastic audience takes their seats.
Five dynamic and obviously carefully selected performers wearing earthy street clothes that complement the set become transfixed by one of the three screens, until ‘given-word’ to leave.
What follows is, on the whole, an exciting journey of fabulously nimble, proficient dancers who move across the floor with joy and connectivity. The unison sections are a standout feature of the work, displaying brilliant isolated movement and powerful, progressive unity that reflects a delightful sense of possession.
Well timed awareness from the performers at the outset creates humour and hooks the audience in. The dancers’ meerkat-like sniffing section is a quirky highlight that allows them to embody an influential unknown power which causes an observational, yet at times, voyeuristic, chain of events.
The sensual, trance-like qualities of the first duo shows a tender intimacy with blended synchronicity and a powerful connection between the dancers that the second duo doesn’t quite master. One of the solos, by Caspar Ilschner, features some intricate floor work, some carefully executed tricks, and fluid transitions that charm the audience.
The overarching choreographic structure of the piece, by Jeremy Beck, highlights each performer’s uniqueness and talent as they take turns leading and collecting others as they move through the space. This repetition illustrates the choreographer’s vision for continuity and progression, yet leaves the audience hoping for a slightly more varied approach.
All praise to the dancers. A dominant feature of this performance is their joy of moving together and this unity shows, at times, a sumptuous, synchronised sense of play that only dance can provide.
The lighting is complimentary but not overly noteworthy, however the sound design enhances and complements the performers’ journeys, adding richness and texture. Aptly titled and a most worthwhile fifty minutes spent.
https://fringe.co.nz/show/a-floor-some-thoughts-and-us
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