Name of company RashDash
Name of show Scary Gorgeous
Genre theatre, music and dance
Venue Bedlam Theatre
Date 19 August
This piece had been recommended to us as an interesting one to look at, and it certainly was that. Combining contemporary dance, theatre, live rock band and some physical theatre it was an unusual combination.
Quite intense, with some comic moments. ( I particularly enjoyed the scene where the band joined the girls in recreating a club scene which they performed with obvious relish– reminiscent of Bouncers, I suppose).
It explored issues around the influence of pornography on sexual activity , female sexuality in general and the development of relationships. The cast of five (including the three piece rock band) performed extremely well, the two female leads were very strong and accomplished in dance, vocally as singers, and as actors.
However, I personally felt that the piece trod a very fine line between exploring these issues and using them as titillation almost and (perhaps in danger of generalisation here, but I will say it anyway) I feel most rural touring audiences would not have been comfortable with some of the material, which, particularly towards the end, was very hard-hitting.
Suitable/ready for rural touring - Possibly not for the reasons stated above.
Would you book them Not this piece.
Would it be worth pursuing this company to consider work in the future Definitely would be interested in seeing other material by this company.
Any other comments an interesting company, certainly and I loved the integration of music, dance and theatre. I would certainly look out for any future work.
GV CM Livelincs
Spot on Sue
ReplyDeleteThere are very hard hitting themes in this, but a great company. Would work well for an 18 upwards audience, and anyone into being in a band. following a conversation with a promoter, a re-write of some scene to have less explicit descriptions might get round some of the themes, whilst leaving the worst to the worst of our imaginations. Sometimes not knowing what was "in the picture" can be more powerful.