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Aneckxander
The Patrick Centre
Birmingham Hippodrome
**** THE stark, minimalist setting in The
Patrick Centre with only a white stage cloth for dressing, set the mood
for this solo performance by Alexander Vantournhout. Dressed in black, he carried on his keyboard and
props, which he placed with meticulous precision on to the blank canvas.
It was patently obvious that this was going to be a performance of
unique content. Every movement and gesture was measured, even the
rolling and folding of the floor covering. Then, with a couple of huge
ocean like waves of the cloth, Alexander, as if unfurling a flag, swept
it away, revealing himself unadorned. A spontaneous gasp of surprise from the audience
was almost the only audible input throughout. In silence, we were
enthralled at the agility, strength, angular shapes, contortions and
sheer athleticism of this incredible young man. Every muscle, sinew and bone stretched, flexed
and moved into the most amazing postures. His sudden drops and lunges
onto the floor with painful thuds made one recoil with anxiety. Ouch! Just remember, he is naked!
The haunting music he played, then used for
accompaniment, added to this extraordinary piece of theatre with its
dramaturgy by Bauke Lievens. The concept delivered both comedy and tragedy
provoking interesting, varied thoughts. At times, the beautifully
expressive Alexander appeared dejected, vulnerable by his nakedness,
appealing or seeking approval from the audience, but in other sequences
the self-inflicted harshness, flagellation even, echoed doubts and
insecurities, the struggle with life. Like a piece of contemporary art, the idea behind
anything unusual or quirky presents a huge range of differing opinions
and so it is with this . . . dare we use the word 'installation'? At the end, Alexander took the customary bows
with generous applause from the appreciative audience, but, like the
ubiquitous expression, "it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings!" he
continued to perform, in short bursts as we sat transfixed, and were
told by a member of the Hippodrome staff that as long as there are
people sitting, watching, he will carry on, for a couple of hours on
occasions. Brilliant! A most innovative, unusual experience Rosemary Manjunath/Elizabeth M Smith 07-10-16
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