Weather Morning: 7°c Mostly cloudy Afternoon: 8°c Sunny spells

Theatre

London,

Dance Umbrella 2007: Renegade Theatre: Cage

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.



Rating: 2 out of 5 Sarah Frater's rating
Rating: 5 out of 5

Reader rating

Your rating

one star two star three star four star five star

Click on a star to rate

Dir: Markus Michalowski.

Cast: Renegade Theatre

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre The South Bank Centre,Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX

Phone: 0871663 2500

Website: www.southbankcetre.co.uk

Extra info: Food, Air Conditioning, Pub, Telephones

Cage is a dull muddle

Cage
Dionysus: A very god-like dancer

By Sarah Frater
30 Nov 2007


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.

Reader views (0)

 Add your view

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Terms and conditions Make text area bigger You have  characters left.

We welcome your opinions. This is a public forum. Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.

For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.


 

Theatre top five
Matilda The Musical
Matilda: The Musical

Cambridge Theatre

Earlham Street, WC2H 9HU

Rating: 5 out of 5
The Comedy Of Errors

National Theatre

SE1 9PX

Rating: 4 out of 5
Hamlet

Young Vic

The Cut, SE1 8LZ

Rating: 4 out of 5
The Ladykillers

Gielgud Theatre

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6AR

Rating: 4 out of 5
Noises Off

Old Vic

The Cut, SE1 8NB

Rating: 4 out of 5