Uploaded: First Impression of Martha@ ... The 1963 Interview by Richard Move & MoveOpolis! In this dance-theatre performance, Richard Move of MoveOpolis! plays Martha Graham, the iconic figure of American modern dance, with impeccable and uncanny likeness. His dramatic entrance, fluidly choreographed to the rousing strains of Appalachian Spring, immediately captivates, and one cannot help but be drawn to his impression of the diva with all her quirks and flamboyant gestures (even if it is perhaps slightly overplayed at times). The production recreates an interview between dance critic Walter Terry and Graham in 1963, apparently the last in a series of Dance Laboratory programmes presented by Terry, and is based on a recently discovered audio recording of the event. The re-enactment of the interview is accompanied at points by two dancers performing excerpts from Grahams work, particularly those being discussed by Terry and Graham during the interview. It is certainly a treat to be able to watch these excerpts live, which I imagine would be a rare opportunity in Singapore. Hearing Graham expound on her inspirations from Greek mythology is particularly intriguing, and there is something magical about knowing that these are the exact words of the legendary figure. The cross-gender casting of Move as Graham and Lisa Kron, an OBIE Award winner, as Terry, brought an additional layer to the performance, one that I am still in two minds about. While both actors are obviously extremely adept in their roles, the performance would probably have had a different effect without this added layer, and I wonder if a more straightforward casting decision would have been less distracting and more effectively let the words of Graham speak for themselves. This being the first performance that I was watching as part of the new Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), I also had some thoughts about its place in the festival. Such a performance, however well executed, did seem targeted at an exclusive audience, one familiar with Graham, her technique, her works, and her influences. Having some, but not a great deal, of knowledge about the subject matter, I was engaged by the performance and learnt a fair bit about Grahams influences and ideas on character development in her modern-dance pieces. I can imagine, though, that it might have been alienating to those in the audience less familiar with or interested in Graham and her work. Indeed, the audience seemed to consist mostly of insiders, and was small enough that all ticket holders for circle seats were upgraded to the stalls. It made me ponder the conundrum of bringing world-class shows to Singapore versus making the arts accessible to a wider audience. While I believe these do not necessarily have to be opposing goals, it remains to be seen what direction the SIFA is taking, and I look forward to attending the other performances in this years festival. 4 out of 5 stars, Jocelyn Chng, 22 Aug 2014.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 09:56:16 +0000
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