Dance company 420PEOPLE finished the final part of the project that lasted for three years; it was introduced by choreographer Václav Kuneš – the Czech premiere took place on 30th November) in the Archa Theatre. First duet Small Hour continued with On An Even Keel. The topic climaxed in the final one-hour version called A Small Hour Ago.
Kuneš tries to reveal various phases of a partnership in his choreography built on three dominant duets. His motional composition is very emotive, it requests absolute concentration and the ability to understand a kinetic detail. We can see the influence of Jiří Kylián because Kuneš danced in his company, he learnt how to perfectly master his body and perceive it as a unique tool.
Choreography originated in cooperation with other three dancers (Nataša Novotná, Rei Watanabe and Cora Bos-Kroese) who brought necessary impulses Kuneš used in his composition where he performs as well. The interplay of partners is important as well, it demands tense perception – dancers indulge in weight of their bodies to subsequently shoot them up to space. Contrast changes in motion create special tension. A slight movement of fingers develops in lite spirals of the whole body; sometimes the dance reminds us of a passionate argument that ends up in a soft embrace. Dancers move synchronically one next to another, a partner often "chases" his partner behind her back. Kinetic silence is disturbed by a sudden lunge, withholding motion contrasts with fluency and restlessness. Partners seek support with each other – sometimes they find it when they lock, hug themselves or one person catches a head or a shoulder of the other one. Their bodies penetrate to eventually stop in a silent cry. Dirk Haubrich's minimalist music provides Kuneš with necessary space for his kinetic associations. His choreography is very dense but it has mostly monotonous spirit of intimate messages; their meaning is usually understood only by dancers.
The performance lacks more interesting costume designs. Set design is rigorous – it is interpreted by white ropes on black horizon of the stage that slowly move upwards. The scene is quite empty and inexpressive dark clothes of performers dissolve in it. The performers wear trousers with pulled knees, lace tops or T-shirts. The designer improvised more in sprained cloth that evokes Baroque draperies (in grey colour); three dancers are folded in it at the end.
A viewer can marvel rich motional forms or read a message in A Small Hour Ago. There are many messages brought by dancers who master their bodies in a very cultivated way. Their interpretation belongs to the best offered by contemporary dance.
Translation: Eliška Hulcová
Josef Bartos
Thank you for your thoughts. One got stuck in my mind – that passion makes us different from AI. Just yesterday I read…I am a dance critic. I am a member of an endangered species