Nothing to Lose

If nothing else, Nothing To Lose proves that pounds of voluptuous flesh can be very sexy. 

It commences slowly and gently with small groups of pale and fleshy bodies writhing on the floor - loosely imitating coupling.  Then a group of bemused and exposed individuals stand uncomfortably before the audience’s gaze.  This moves to a kind of study and interrogation of the dancers bodies by a small group of audience who are invited to do so.  What follows interrogates our attitudes to body weight, with varying levels of success it implicates, engages, informs and amuses.  The evening ends on a very high note with a big troupe of large dancers dancing energetically and enthusiastically in unison in a work choreographed by Genoa Gela to music composed by Strereogmous (Paul Mack and Jonny Seymour).

The set contains a number of thin mirrors that form squares, rectangles and crosses that partially reflect what is happening at times.  The lighting by Geoff Cobham is particularly successful when creating shadows and enhancing curves. The use of Lycra in some of the costuming (Matthew Stegh) is imaginative and inspired.

There are some moments of revelation.  At times individual dancer’s flesh appears to be scar tissue, sometimes it seems outrageously and deliciously flabby and at others it seem totally appropriate and integral to the performer.  The space between stage and auditorium is traversed.   Some of the dancers seem to have a confrontational edge, some are more yielding and others self-contained an entrancing.  There are quite a number of clichés in relation to fatness expressed particularly in the use of spoken word, when it is used in an attempt to encapsulate broad attitudes and issues about being overweight.

Beautiful moments include the projecting of an almost cupie doll like aspect of beautiful plump people, and a sadomasochistic scene that feels like it could be in a bordello.  In this the manipulation of flesh is fascinating and riveting.  And there are performers who magically draw the eye and hold attention most particularly Latai Taumoepeau, a very poised dancer.

Apparently a shared choreographic language has been developed throughout the rehearsal process.  I would hazard a guess that there have been many challenges overcome throughout the process and think it would be marvelous if this troupe could keep growing and developing.  Though one would assume that weight loss could be an inevitable unwelcome result.

I for one am ready to see more challenging and demanding dance work presented by this troupe – ready for Chapter Two!

There is so much on for Dance Massive, and judging by past years no doubt much of it is ‘cutting edge’.  Amongst all this Nothing To Lose deserves the good houses it will probably get due to the fabulous marketing campaign surrounding it. 

Suzanne Sandow

Credits

Director – Kate Champion

Artistic Associate & Music Curator – Kelli Jean Drinkwater

Set & Lighting Designer – Geoff Cobham

Costume Designer Matthew Stegh

Movement Vocabulary – Devised by the Company

Main Cast:  Claire ‘Scarlett’ Burrows, Julian Crotti, Michael Cutrupi, LaLa Gabor, Ally Garrett, Latai Taumoepeau, Anastasia Zaravinos.

Ensemble:  Dean Arcuri, Jessica Cherry, Kelli Jean Drinkwater, Eva Johansen, Melanie Carlisle, Kim McGuire, Zac Segbedzi, Narda Shanle, Sara-Jane Smith, Sarahlouise Younger.

Photographer: Heidrun Lohr.