Plastic Drastic Fantastic by Akademi at Dance East – Saturday 28th October
Plastic Drastic Fantastic by Akademi is a contemporary dance show for families and children to enjoy, but also to make them think.
The show was at Jerwood House, home of the incredible Dance East, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, and was 45 minutes of contemporary dance which made you really think about plastics and their use in the world, both good and bad.
Using Indian classical dance from the Bharatanatyam and South Asian dance techniques,the three dancers tell the story of plastic by using plastic. At the very start a vast length of almost clear plastic billows from a blue wheelie bin to mimic the sea. Carrier bags become tooth brushes, hair combs and mobile phones and we see how plastic is integrated in our lives from dawn to dusk.
The dance follows the journey of plastic in manufacturing, in our homes, in our gardens and ultimately it’s impact on our environment. This show doesn’t preach, it knows that plastic is in our world and has it’s uses but also doesn’t shy away from the harm it can do.
This is a playful mix of dance that is intricate and dainty yet bold and rhythmic, with the three cast members in perfect time with one another and the music used is hypnotic yet strangely calming.
Myself and my 13 year old son were moved by the ending when a net bag of plastic bottles cascades down onto the stage and the consequences of single plastic use on our marine life is vividly told.
A colourful and thought provoking piece of work.
To find out more about the company and show click on this link for the Akademi website .
And click on Dance East here to find out more about their programme.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 