Be Still

“For those who hold on to old patterns, there will be increasing pain, violence, confusion, and madness… So for a moment be still… Stillness speaks” -Eckart Tolle

The words written by Eckart Tolle posed many questions and an uncomfortable pondering in my mind about the show. But going into it I felt comfortably exited to witness some conventional performance, but that was not to be.

With its ever dramatic and slow start, where the hidden figures were slowly given shape with the elumination of the stage and where the dark music captures its unique nature, there is where the stillness first began.

With a curious and ever aqueous audience awaiting their money’s worth, the clapping motions of each character with unique and repetitive movements, slowly brought the show to life.

With an excellent use of dimensions, levels and props, the show had such a new feel to it which might have made some onlookers question it. This form of modern dancing really used the bodies of the dancers in a way which one rarely sees portrayed on stage. Using the walls, floor and air as their canvas, they displayed a range of styles and combinations which at times flowed but had neglected timing which might have its roots in the recurring but unpredictable stream of emotions which people naturally poses.

With the puppeteer in the background controlling the one constant and unspoken character, which then gives a sense life to the others as they are then taken by the dancers and made to move in a display which saw the audience extremely impressed.  

With the lifeless and blank faces of the puppets which are like ragdolls in nature and humanlike in shape create mixed emotions around the unclear theme of the piece. As the strong movements take flight in the display of talent and expression, the dark music creates an uneasy feeling but endorses the artistic flair and deeply possessive and in-depth nature of the performance.

This is truly for the open minded, leaving mixed feelings and well true ‘confusion’, this piece embraces those who have acquainted themselves with the new and stilling nature of expressive and interpretive dance.