Sunday 21 October 2012

Tobari - as if in an inexhaustible flux




Sankai Juku's butoh production opened the da:ns Festival 2012 organised by Esplanade Theatre on the Bay. It was the group second visit to Singapore.  From the house programme, tobari is a "veil of fabric hung in a space as a partition".














The stage setting was cosmic like, with the backdrop at times filled with lights from the universee.   At the centre of the dance space was a round platform with slight elevation, reminded me of circle of life.....the new age music also added to the atmosphere (though I prefer a more "arty" soundscape").


Director and choreograhper Ushio Amagatsu led 7 other dances in this performance.  Ushio did a few solos, and the other butoh dancers were involved in group dance, zip zap across the stage in precise movements, or danced in group of 4.

I always have some reservations on attending butoh dance, fearing it would be tough to comprehend.  But this piece was enjoyable, and other audience agreed as well.  And of course, the curtain call by the dancers were very stylised too.

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