www.myspace.com/snafudance
will commandeer the Metro Studio stage this April with their production
Riyoku Butoh
Back by popular demand and by special invitation for two nights only, SNAFU Dance Theatre Society presents their remount of Riyoku Butoh. This intense hour of otherworldly dance theatre, liberated from clothing and masked in white body paint, will be revived on the Metro Studio stage Thursday, April 19 and Saturday, April 21, 2007.
Riyoku Butoh is an original dance theatre creation inspired by Japan’s experimental “Dance of Darkness.” It follows a journey of self-inflicted isolation and the search for a human connection through a demented wonderland. The show was originally performed at the University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre with the support of the Student Alternative Theatre Company.
This production combines elements of eastern Butoh with western modern dance to explore the beauty and warped obsessions of human nature. The art of Butoh first appeared on stage in 1960s Japan, as more of a performance philosophy than a set of dance movements. As performers dive into a hyper-aware extroverted trance, they strive to expand time and space, and to ignite an unspoken connection between everyone present.
Director Ingrid Hansen performed with Kokoro Dance in their 11th Annual Wreck Beach Butoh where she was struck with the inspiration for Riyoku Butoh. The piece was built out of creative collaboration with the dedicated ensemble cast.
The creative team includes
Eugene Mendelev (Lighting Designer)
Victor Dolhai (Co-Sound Designer)
Sarah Pelzer (Co-Sound Designer)
Erin Roberts (Projection Designer)
and Jennifer Braem (Stage Manager)
The cast features:
Victor Dolhai
Ryan Haché
Barb Hall
Ingrid Hansen
Laura Harris
Stuart Hill
Ming Hudson
Sarah Pelzer
Natasha Salway