'Diamond' in the rough

Astonishment, shock and bewilderment best sum up the audience’s reaction to the ending of “Black Diamond” the contemporary ballet staged by the Danish Dance Theatre last Thursday night as part of Bangkok’s 16th International Festival of Music and Dance.

But then who, at least in Thailand, wouldn’t be, when the show culminated in the revelation of a naked female body? 

To choreographer/artistic director Tim Rushton, the naked body is the symbol of a hopeful and sensitive humanity – a message shared mostly by people in the West. Here in the East, though, we are not used to such exposure and were thus understandably surprised when the dance company, considered one of Europe’s leading contemporary troupes, brought the first ever nude scene to the festival since its inception in 1997.

In “Black Diamond”, which was critically acclaimed when it premiered earlier this year in Denmark, Rushton’s abstract universe is revealed through the diamond-like wall and choreography that focuses on aesthetics and form. The choreography is tight and stringent, organised as a multi-faceted and powerful organism that dominates the space. Deconstruction rules, with the 16 performers emoting energy from all parts of their body, from head to toe.

The first act is rather dim, as the wall forms a massive black structure while the stage is kept dark for the performers in blue/grey suits. 

“I was lost, unable to understand anything,” a fellow audience member told me when the first act ended. “Yet, I couldn’t help but notice that the dancers were so strong.”

The second act is more exciting, as the diamond-like wall shines in sparkling white, adding light to the already bright stage. Two dancers clad in bluish-white body stockings, covering their heads to their ankles, explode into life. Moving along, the music chronicles the movements of these small living organisms with the pair ably forcing viewers to sit upright. 

In the final segment, one of the male dancers reveals what’s inside the bluish-white construction. 

The head is first revealed, followed by the left breast. As the audience take in the fact that it is real flesh and expect the show to stop there, the upper part of her body is exposed. 

The auditorium fell quiet when the revelation went further and exposed the entire body.

Stripped naked, the performer then walks forward and lies down, assuming the foetal position.

Festival staff admitted that nobody knew in advance of the nudity. “They told us that this would depend on audience’s reaction on the day.” 

And applause rang out as the curtain was lowered, demonstrating that while surprised, expats and Thais alike warmly welcomed Rushton’s artistic concept and understood that the naked body can be a symbol of hope rather than something that should be hidden from view.

 

MUCH MORE TO SEE

Bangkok’s 16th International Festival of Music and Dance continues through October 26 at Thailand Cultural Centre.

Tomorrow’s show is “Delirium”, salsa from Columbia. 

Next Monday, Zubin Mehta conducts the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

“O Misterio”: An Evening with Teresa Sagueiro from Portugal is on October 22.

The Stuttgart Ballet closes out the fest with the contemporary ballet “Onegin” on October 25 and 26.

Tickets are available at ThaiTicketMajor. For more information, visit www.BangkokFestivals.com.