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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Sarah Frater's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Markus Michalowski.
Cast: Renegade Theatre
Description: New hip hop-based dance theatre, an interpretation of The Bacchae. A mixture of physical dance, circus theatre and digital graffiti, choreographed by Lorca Renoux.
Phone: 0871663 2500
Website: www.southbankcetre.co.uk
Extra info: Telephones, Pub, Air Conditioning, Food
The Greek god Dionysus is such a good role model for binge-drinking, rave-going and alienated youth that you wonder why he's not used to lure them off the streets and into the theatre. He is, after all, the god of wine who induces frenzied worship among his followers, who then enjoy a good dance in his honour.
Then there's the reluctance of authority figures to accept his divinity, giving us in one handy god a symbol of misunderstood youth and their beer-swilling revels.
The German troupe Renegade Theatre has recognised his potential, and used him as inspiration for its new-ish piece Cage. It's set in and around a Perspex box, in which suited men seem to be mulling important matters (this represents the Thebans who reject Dionysus in the Euripides play). Enter Dionysus, a very god-like young dancer whose freedom and physical ecstasy goads the suit-wears.
Until this point, things look promising. The set is sleek, the music an evocative digi-jazzy-clubby mix, and the five dancers are gorgeous to look at. They are also able hiphoppers, the main style used.
However, director Markus Michalowski and choreographer Lorca Renoux haven't a clue what to do with them. The pair are simply unable to draw meaning from steps, nor can they translate the themes into convincing theatrical terms. This is a dull muddle.
• Until tomorrow. Info: 0871 663 2500, www. southbankcentre.co.uk.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
