At Earthfall |
| Earthfall- AD , Chapter Arts Centre , March 1, 2001 |
| A father and son spend a day out fishing. They yearn to communicate with one another but hold bacl, each quietly aware of the other’s presence. The father puts out a hand to touch his son, but draws it back after a moment’s reflection. The boy continues to stare across the water, unaware of his father’s attempts to achieve some sort of connection. So begins the latest production from the internationally renowned physical dance company Earthfall. This fragmented memories of three characters provide the interweaving narratives of this production which mixes film, dance and song to prodive an interrogation of the best and worst aspects of father-son relationships. This intimate, lyrical exploration of male relations touches on many issues, not least that of masculinity itself. The performance suggests that sons learn howt o define themselves through their fathers, be it in opposition to them, or in trying to ape them. As each piece is performed a complex picture emerges of the love, hate, jealousy and competitiveness endemic to many familiar relations, but there is plenty of humour in the show, particularly in the scenes concerned with inter-sibling rivalry and favouritism. The dance is quirky and vivid, the grotesque and stylish flowing into one another in unexpected combinations while the bleak cinematic images which appear on a screen at the back of the stage are a great way of hinting at the inner landscapes – of loneliness, lack and longing – of the three central characters. This show is full of refreshing surprises, and the inter-play of dance, theatre, song and film makes for a sensual and rewarding experience, well worth the entrance fee. |
Reviewed by: Julie Yates (The Big Issue) |
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