DANZFringe Festival 2023- Dance - LIMITS
Tapiri Nui Theatre, Te Auaha,
Wellington 21 February
Direction/Choreography: Bonnie Curtis
Reviewed by Brigitte Knight
Read an overview of the Fringe here.
LIMITS by Bonnie Curtis Projects is billed as dance and comedy, although the performance presents as physical theatre/performance art. An introspective and confident work, Curtis appears as the character “Grotesque Creature” in her self-described “stereotypically hot body”.
LIMITS explores Grotesque Creature’s attempts to strive for perfection whilst beset by insecurities, anxieties and self-loathing. The majority of the performance is presented with the character facing upstage, and although a dressing table with mirror is central to the work’s design, the lighting (uncredited) and theatre shape obscure much of the movement and expressive detail.
In a literal and accessible approach to her theme, Curtis includes decapitated Barbie dolls, pink clothing items, pink plasticine moulded into body parts and some familiar music selections (Marilyn Manson’s The Beautiful People as intro, Aqua’s Barbie Girl as outro) alongside contracted body alignments, stylised vocalisations and ambient soundscape. Curtis’ identity as a performer with an invisible disability is central to her approach to theatre-making, and her season includes a relaxed performance and accessibility considerations. Glimpses of technique and motif development leave room for exploration and utilisation, and LIMITS sustains a monotonal effect in terms of energy and dynamic qualities.
On opening night the atmosphere and focus delivered by Curtis were unfortunately undermined by a photographer and videographer walking through the seating block, standing onstage and poking cameras through the upstage curtains during the performance.
Publicity materials on Curtis' website are high-quality and may provide a clearer view of the choreographer's vision for this deeply personal production.
LIMITS is also available to view online via fringe.co.nz
Read an overview of the Fringe here.
BRIGITTE KNIGHT
BRIGITTE KNIGHTBrigitte Knight, M.Prof.Studs (Edu. First Class Honours), BA, Dip. Teach (Sec) is an experienced and innovative choreographer, dance educator, dance and theatre critic, and dance adjudicator. She has created work for Okareka Dance Company, Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, New Zealand Fashion Week, Māori Television, TV3, The Auckland Shakespeare Company, Tempo Festival, The Basement Theatre, Aotea Diwali Festival, University of Auckland Diwali Festival, Desi Showbiz International, The Radio Network, Short + Sweet Dance, NZ One Act Play Festival and many more.