Reviewed - BouncE Insane in the Brain
Published on 21 September 2009 by Shanni Elcock
Slightly sceptical and more than a little curious I went to watch the BouncE dance company perform Insane in the Brain, which had been touted as a sort of mixed genre halfway between dance and drama.
My colleague, however, was intensely sceptical about the entire concept of a contemporary novel like Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest being translated into hip hop dance. He was certain that it would be an attempt to turn classics into hip hop.
The show proved to be more than a lame attempt to make something youthful, urban and hip that had no business doing so. In fact, the words hip hop, break-dance and drama don't do justice when it comes to describing the show. BouncE's dancers are in such a class of their own that the very genre should be renamed accordingly. It was intensely emotional, side-splittingly funny and awe-inspiring.
The show combines great technique, amazing choreography, humour and drama to retell the story with minimal dialogue but still manages to convey feelings as complex as frustration and as simple as lust.
It is hard to resist talking about the whole thing, but I feel compelled to mention the three best parts of the show.
- The Opening Number
- Daytrip
- The Exercise Routine
Spooky and thrilling, the show begins with an attention-grabbing opening number which portrays the patients' personality disorders while conveying the fact that they don't seem to know the difference between them themselves. The opening number only hints at the awesomeness to come.
As a child, shows where the cast came into the audience either scared or amused me, but as I got older it became boring. When Insane in the Brain does this though, it's both terrifying and exciting to experience this. A cleverly planned piece, Daytrip epitomises everything that is right with the show; it's funny, fresh and leaves a lasting impression.
Jennie Widegren as Miss Martini completely captures the audience with this fabulous tribute to breaking free. Joe Jobe, also deserves special mention for his role in this routine.
Insanely good, I give the show two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
For more information contact Sadler's Wells.
** This show has content that is not really suitable for children under 12**
