Emotional Architects

Wow. The Architecture of Tears. I haven’t watched such exquisite dancers in… too long. Grant Van Ster and Shaun Oelf of FO8, along with Thabisa Dinga are masterful movers. Ananda Fuch’s challenging choreography makes for an excellent dance work, which received resounding applause at last night’s opening.

Worth mentioning purely to indicate the performers’ professionalism – the sound failed but the dancers went on as if nothing could hold them back. Only when they were instructed to stop, so the speaker could have a quick pamper, did they rest. And on their return they danced as if nothing had fazed them.

Skilful is an understatement. The performances are clean, slick, and polished to perfection. The unison is impeccable. Their flow and isolation is faultless. Their extension fills the space. Each hold such power in their stillness alone; as a group they are a force.

The dancers’ bodily expressiveness takes us on a journey through the sensual, the playful, the passionate, the provocative, the angry, the desperate, and the tender.

Inspired by 100 Tears Photographed Through A Standard Light Microscope, by Rose-Lynn Fisher, the content of the work deals with all that which makes us shed tears. A lover spurned. Joyfulness. Desperation. A sensual experience. A mother’s love.

But The Architecture of Tears looks further into what sets up the relationships we find ourselves caught up in. Gender understandings are questioned; one man strokes the side-by-side turning faces of a man, then a woman. Sexuality is fluid, a choice, when searching beyond stereotypes. What building has society constructed around our emotions and choices, and are we forced to live in it?

The closing projected image is cool – don’t forget to catch it while you’re busy applauding. – Sarah Roberson

Only one show left tonight @ 8pm @ Hiddingh Hall. Go see it. Click here for production information.