Dancehall Blues by David Bolger

A week ago, I attended CoisCeim Dance Theatre. The production I attended was a virtual reality showcase of Art Director, David Bolger’s acclaimed production called Dancehall Blue’s.

When I arrived, I was welcomed very warmly by a woman named Inna who I had been emailing back and forth about the event. Inna brought me on a tour of the 19th century red-brick building which was once a post office.

I spoke with Alex, one of the dancers and he told that he was there to critique his own dancing. He was very nice and extremely professional. Alex introduced me to the two virtual reality arts workers, John and another Alex who is a woman. I will call her Alex 2. Alex 2 is also a singer songwriter as well as working in visual arts. Then the event began so I sat beside a dancer and had a little chat while waiting for the performance to begin.

It was a truly incredible performance. The two dancers invited us into a combination of dark dreams and imagination. There was a disco ball in the centre of the stage which dropped down which made me catch my breath. The two dancers were dressed in light white outfits, similar to those that fumigators wear and masks as well. This added to the dark atmosphere akin to a nightmare.  They interacted with the disco ball throughout the first scene bringing a nuance that I can’t quite explain but I could feel it.

As the show progressed, the fumigator outfits were torn off in a frenzy. Alex 1 was in a vest top and light trousers, the girl was in leggings and a top. They moved in unison and it was hypnotic. They each had solo pieces which were enigmatic. I was awestruck by the choreography.

Throughout the performance, the dancers seemed to be having an existential crisis. It felt as though they were trying to find a way out of their current situation. The girl got changed into a dress at one point. They seemed to be representing ying and yang, masculine and feminine energy stuck in a place of fear and discomfort. Magnetic is the only way I can describe it.