For nearly 15 years Meg Stuart has been producing everything from large scale choreographies to video works and installations. She has been a continually contributor to the art form with over thirty productions under her belt. This is clearly obvious in the controlled, thoughtful and tightly crafted set of works she brings to the Carriagework’s stage in An Evening Of Solo Works.
What is immediately noticeable to me in these works is Stuart’s willingness to allow individual moments or movements to stand alone. Stillness is embraced. She also explores the use of spoken word within her work. This is not something I have seen a lot on the stage in the world of dance and movement. Accentuate the physicality and igniting the passions through vitality, rhythm and athleticism is often the ‘go-to’ style. This is not to say there is no energy or vibrancy in the works presented here. The opening piece, Signs Of Affection, is accompanied by a live solo drum number (Cec Condon). It’s frantic pace and powerful impulsive movement appears spontaneous and random, yet is tightly choreographed. Inspiration flows from the AtrCen festival in Rio de Janeiro in 2010. As the drum solo drops into silence we are presented with sensorial sculptures. One after the other. Each frozen moment is carefully set up and presented in the now eerie silence.
Each of the four seperate pieces are created by very different inspirations. I Take It Back uses spoken word and physical expression to explore love and loss. It was this piece and Signs Of Affection that I was most affected and moved by.
XXX For Arlene and Colleagues followed these pieces and was a response to a New York critic’s article on a ‘victim piece’. The critic had not actually seen the piece. It explored the struggles of the artist. The evening ended with All The Songs Have Been Exhausted which was the performer’s exploration of “her own body as a living archive”. These two pieces were fascinating to watch but I was often lost in what was being communicated or presented. This may be have been less of an issue with a more detailed knowledge of the artists work but for me it slightly dulled the enjoyment as I was left feeling like I was missing something. The majority of the audience responded very well to these pieces.
Meg Stuart: An Evening Of Solo Works is a fascinating highlight of a long artistic career. The experience and maturity of the work set the show apart from many others.
Lynden Jones – Theatre Now and On The Town
Meg Stuart
Meg Stuart
19th-20th Mar
Mon 8pm, Tue 9pm
Venue: Carriageworks
Theatre Company: CARRIAGEWORKS
Duration:
