Foleyvision

Foleyvision is a short, highly creative dance work that focuses on Foley, the human reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to films and other media to improve audio quality.

The third in a series of contemporary dances recreating known works, the first was a reinvention of Wes Anderson’s Budapest Hotel, the second a reimagining of Sergei Diaghilev’s ballet Petrushka, while this production looks at the BBC television series Absolutely Fabulous.

This hour-long piece is essentially in three acts. Floor Manager Maree Cole (a very efficient performance) welcomes the audience as a studio audience for a TV comedy. We are told that we will watch a final blocking rehearsal, 

The first ‘act’ is highly mesmerising. Contemporary dance that moves only to Foley, with limited music, and few accoutrements. It is highly physical, and while we don’t yet understand the context, we can see that our trio of dancers, Bernadette Lewis, Giorgia Schiif, and Nadia Priolo move beautifully and have an excellent synchronicity and rapport.

In the second part, the dancers transform into Foley Artists, creating the sounds to accompany the movement, in a highly balletic, beautifully physical way. It is timed to a prerecorded performance played behind the audience (it’s worth turning to see).

Finally, the performance comes together as we watch an episode of what is “almost Absolutely Fabulous”. The dancers perform to a beautifully recreated vocal track (well done to voice artists Maree Cole, Bernadette Lewis, and Nicole Ward), in a highly physicalised style. Beautifully and nostalgically costumed by Rhiannon Walker, they wear oversized noses that pay homage to the clowning and commedia origins of this acting and show style.

A fascinating and highly watchable piece, Foleyvision is a very different and engaging production.

Kimberley Shaw