REDD; first impressions

Boy Blue, REDD, Tanaka Bingwa, Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, Emma Houston, image credit Carl Fox

It’s a funny old thing, but sometimes, a production moves me so deeply I don’t know what to write. It’s not because there’s nothing to write because clearly, a good performance gives you more material than you can use. This happened with REDD, and the reason I have struggled is that I don’t see how words alone can do the experience justice.

I need to do it justice, and cover it well, because the review (and a lot more besides) is going into a future DanceGRiST magazine. What better way to start structuring my thoughts than sharing a few of my impressions.

The strongest feeling by far was the way the choreography made me feel for the protagonist. The burden of leadership, the ineluctabilty of depression, the isolation of being an educator, the feeling of being an imposter in a group of fake friends, and the investment in others that grows from a mutual sharing of the burden to mutual respect, friendship and love. The dancers were all strong (of course, because Boy Blue consistently attracts, trains and creates with the best), the low-fi, rhythmic score layered meaning and emotion, and the lighting – which often served to isolate or exaggerate the darkness of the work- was  stunning.

That’s it for now. To find out more you’ll need to wait until the DanceGRiST issue drops. Meanwhile go see them for yourself.