Between simple movement and dizzying acrobatics

14/10/2009

“4 Men, Alice, Bach and the Deer” is a very fine production. I was impressed by the originality of the idea and content as well as by the richness of the movement and by the entire composition.

There is not a single dull moment in the production nor any relaxation of the tension. Everything flows and develops properly. At the verge of the subject – “masculinity” in its extreme, radical and extroverted manifestations – lurks a danger of didacticism and the creators have not fallen into this trap. Although it is all very powerful, and erotic, the amount is just right and does not cross over into kitsch. There is macho and there are heroes, and all are presented charmingly and with a wink of humor.

The production has an abundance of eroticism and this too is in very good taste.

The production fluctuates between power (not aggression) and softness, between simple movement and dizzying acrobatics.

On our stages and on stages around the world there are many, in fact too many, productions that are rife with violence and abound with jumps, spins, thrusts, and falls ad nauseam. That is not the case with this production. It is outspoken and harsh, but the movements are not routine – they are rich and riveting.

The compositions are varied – a column and line of dancing men is a simple motif with careful repetition, gentle and touching duets and complicated formations with all four characters.

The dancers are full of ceaseless energy and dance well.

There is also a text that tells us about “four men who live far away from here in a huge home… they lived in perfect harmony with nature… until Alice came along…”. The text spoken by the dancer sounds clear, well intoned and with good musicality; later on the men speak it in chorus.

The men wear black suits with decorated T-shirts underneath. In part of the production the characters wear animal masks, as the men live in nature and are also hunters, or perhaps the masks are intended to generate an effect of alienation?

On the stage is a large stuffed deer, as the men are hunters.

In order to charge the slightly strange atmosphere, rapid flashes of light are added later that render the happenings dreamlike.

I liked the ending very much. The dancers exit slowly, one after another, one is left sitting still and silent, and after long seconds the lights go out. The end.

In conclusion, we were granted a very original, fascinating, rich and well done production. The creators are talented, original and bold, and are also well versed in the art of dancing.