Great performances @ London Zoo
Yesterday we saw some great performances @ London Zoo.
Tiger Territory (atmosphere → Indonesian)
THE TIGER took a big step forward by thinking about the audience's perspective. He simply laid himself down and chilled, almost directing the viewer into having the same experience of 'actually being up there in the tree', like a tiger.
Gorilla Kingdom (atmosphere → African Rainforest)
THE GORRILAS worked (again) as a family this year, but this time round they explored Entrances and Exits (always accurate and contemporary). Father gorilla visibly exited the indoor back-stage area to make a grand appearance on the stage outdoors, while eating a banana. The slow but steady paste was beautiful and masculine only to be disturbed by the playful baby gorilla who energetically ran up the stage three times faster then his (we think?) father, unafraid to get hurt and very significantly noteating a banana. Then mother arrived, clearly the highpoint of this performance, grabbing a big pile of leaves only to place these upon her head like, indeed, a lady's hat. After a minute or two they all, very organically, took their exits, leaving a bit of dust and... a banana peel behind.
Land of the Lions (atmosphere → India's vibrant Sasan Gir)
THE LIONS had an exciting and conceptual concept prepared. First the stage was empty, no lion whatsoever to be found. Then, while walking past (feeling a bit disappointed) the audience was awaited a surprise of all lions piled up together and sticked to the windows. One could actually come as close to the lions as never before. But the thick, greasy glass and the fact they were making no eye contact and cuddled with each other as if 'no one was around', gave it a very forth wall experience. Alienating even.
But although these big popular mommy's and daddy's did not at all disappoint this year round, our top 3 performances were, very surprisingly not to be found in these expected areas.
Penguin Beach (atmosphere → South American Beach Landscape)
THE PENGUINS stole our hearts by working to closely together as a team. Almost like a choreography they went for an aesthetic and satisfying experience for young and old. You could see their colonial underwater dives as well as the upper water splashing scenes simultaneously, and the dynamics of this collaboration gave some sort of hope and pleasure in these cold, individualistic times.
THE HANUMAN LANGURS presented to us a radical love duet with absolutely no fear to express and share their true feelings and desires for each other with the spectator. This intimate portrait hit a turning point when the embarrassment made place for a kind of tender feeling. A feeling there is someone for everyone. A beautiful feeling.
And last but certainly not least our very, very unsuspected...
THE CRESTED WOOD PARDRIDGE!
We weren't even aware of this little talent to perform during the 2019 London Zoo Festival but we're so happy she did. She stunningly used the natural environment of the bird cage (and its history) in a way it completed all her actions, tiny as they may were. She had the ability to, without any big gestures, provide the audience with a larger sense of space, time and truth. There was something very honest about this piece, since there was no tjirping or flying round (as we've seen loads in previous birdcage performances) but simply standing there, next to that little bush that suddenly.. didn't seem so little any more.
So, yet again: an all and all wonderful experience. We most certainly can't wait to see what they'll come up with next year! You can see all performances throughout all of 2019, all day, every day.
The Magically Random Performance Review Team. (MRPRT)
kianamaiart
stormborns
annaxmalina
origamiaround
jacobvanloon
andulkaphoto
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