Leigh Warren has always pushed the boundaries. This production is no
exception. He has skilfully devised a pastiche of dance, music,
lighting, drama, décor, words and imagination that challenges the
viewer into a world of whimsy exploring the vicissitudes and the
mysteries of love. The collaboration with Designer Dan Potra results in
a provocative and quirky piece of experimental theatre.
Snow White herself doesn’t appear, but the dwarfs certainly do, along
with “their personalities, their relationships, their points of view
and how they relate to one another in this extreme family situation”,
as Mr Warren explains. From the moment they emerge from the mine at the
front of the stage, to their eventual return there, they weave a
seamless flow of sixteen vignettes, exploring different aspects of this
uniquely human phenomenon, debunking most of the populist perceptions
about it on the way. The scenes range from the dramatic to the wistful
to the comedic and back again.
Having a Sneezy cold is not romantic. There is a particularly Grumpy
Mirror mirror on the wall wall in a very effective stereoscopic device.
The dancers provide nicely coordinated chorus work behind several lithe
duets, solos and group gropes in which “lovers” are far from Bashful
about where they touch each other. We explore what’s up with Doc, and
enjoy some quite Dopey juxtapositions of words and movement. The only
indication of anything Sleepy was my very tired wife, who remained
challenged enough to keep her eyes open most of the time, and all ended
Happy ever after.
The challenge was not only to the audience – the dancers : Lisa
Griffiths, Deon Hastie, Kynan Hughes, Alisdair Macindoe, Gala Moody, Jo
Roads and Adam Synnott all rose to the significant challenge that this
work set them with grace and skill, cementing this company’s
established position as a beacon for many in the world of Dance.
Leigh Warren & Dancers present Seven
Venue: Royalty Theatre, 65 Angas Street, Adelaide SA Dates/Times: 7.30pm: 23 February; 26 February - 1 March, 2008 Tickets: $40 per person; $30 concession; $25 Fringe Benefits (+ service fee) Bookings: Book at FringeTIX on 1300 FRINGE (374 643), www.adelaidefringe.com.au or in person at Fringe Alley (via Vaughan Place, just off Rundle Street)
