Leicester Square Theatre, London
***
Technologically experimental group Siro-A call themselves
the next generation of entertainment. Originating from Japan, many declared their
self-titled spectacle as “visually stunning” at the Edinburgh Fringe, and this
is true, but in terms of artistic content it is not much beyond “Ooh look at
the pretty lights!” A blend of clever visual manipulation and repetitive
electro beats, it’s difficult to determine what it leaves you with.
The visual challenges are split into episodic sections,
most of which are applause-worthy. One of the company’s aims is to blend the
real and the virtual. This aim is achieved, markedly in an episode where the
audience is presented with the performers and their pixelated counterparts. As
they alternately weave through frames of fabric, discerning between the two
becomes difficult. It’s a standard statement about the terrifying advancement
of technology, but done with skilful efficiency.
Projection underlines the entire piece. The way the
performers interact with it is impressively precise, using adaptable surfaces as
tools to capture moving images and even alter their own appearance. At times
you feel as if you’re sitting in a Gameboy; at one point Mario and his
mushrooms even make a cameo. The two Disc Jockeys bobbing awkwardly in the
background can be distracting; they look a little silly, and you half expect
the room to become a rave at any moment.
Charming moments of comedy are common, adding at least
one extra layer to the storming laser extravaganza. The prologue to the piece
involves a camera covering the audience, projecting embarrassing caricatures
onto their bodies. There’s no clear purpose for this other than to be cheeky,
but sometimes that’s just fine. The best sequence was the casual biography of
company member Abe Toshinori, whose life
was briefly deconstructed on stage.
The only element that gives grievance is the music; an
incessant barrage of electro pop/dubstep accompanies the performance. Flaunting
an ignorance of dynamics, the soundtrack crudely bashes your skull in until
you’re forced to wrap a scarf around your ears. They say if it’s too loud,
you’re too old. Anyone in this theatre is going to feel geriatric. The prioritization
of sheer impact over quality is disappointing and only leaves you mourning for
music that can be affecting on a non-violent frequency. The aggressive tone is
mismatched with the rest of the piece – it’s an unwelcome contrast.
It is a shame, because the dancers are actually very good
when they get the chance to showcase themselves. There are lots of delightful
little tricks based around switching between real objects (often bouncy balls)
and projections, which hint at magic. Charging fifteen pounds for this one hour
show is a little rich, although the costs are clearly visible. Advising whether
or not to go is troublesome as there is an element of hypnosis. When you leave,
you know you’ve got a headache, but anything else is a mystery.
This production runs until 22nd April 2013.
For more
information: http://www.siro-a.co.uk/
@LSQTheatre @SIRO_A_
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