PRESS. To 8 March.

London.

PRESS
created by Pierre Rigal

Gate Theatre To 8 March 2008.
Mon, Tues, Thurs-Sat 7.30pm (Thurs 21st Feb 7pm start)
Runs 50 min No interval.

TICKETS: 020 7229 0706
www.gatetheatre.co.uk
Review: Harriet Davis 19 February

Extraordinary performance piece.
Pierre Rigal is a former French athlete, and an actor, choreographer and music-video director. This 50-minute avant-garde piece is difficult to describe without referencing Rigal’s previous effort, Érection, described by La Nación as “An incredible experience”. It’s easy to believe. The title can be taken on literal terms, as it involves a concrete room with a ceiling which descends on its human occupant, eventually crushing him completely.

Two entities occupy this room, suspiciously observing one another and alternately swapping identities. One is Rigal, a strange human/animal hybrid, who sometimes adopts an almost robotic persona; the other is a small, computerized monitoring machine, with a single white light for an eye, extending from its neck-like frame. The machine whirrs gently (almost a voice in itself) echoing the pulsating music and responding in course to the man’s frenetic movements. The man does not speak, but expresses himself with curious clarity through a finely nuanced ‘dance’.

The room has its own personality. It knows about the man but doesn’t care, as it executes its premeditated attacks. The ceiling lowers, raises again, lowers, while the lighting trembles and flickers. In one particularly memorable instant, the machine turns its acute eye on us, slowly taking in the audience. Already we can see this is a losing battle.

Rigal himself is extraordinary supple, and makes his performance look effortless. In fact, it’s an incredible feat, with Rigal balancing solely on his head (hands in pockets) for a matter of minutes; later his limbs sucker onto the ceiling and walls like fridge magnets. Sometimes he speaks through the subtle uncurling of fingers (dramatically shadowed on the back wall) at others his feet do the talking. There are a few humorous moments – which tend to arrive unexpectedly – but the overtones are pervading dark.

The best comparison would be Aphex Twin, from whom Rigal draws heavily. But this form best suites theatre, as the hypnotic effect would be lost on a three-minute video. Not to say that the music isn’t stunning; it draws you in then overwhelms you. Rigal is a phenomenal performer, and this show deserves heavy praise.

Performer: Pierre Rigal.

Composer: Nihil Bordures.
Designer/Lighting: Frédéric Stoll.
Choreographer: Pierre Rigal.
Assistant choreographer: Mélanie Chartreux.

2008-02-21 00:55:30