Neighbours

Two dancers talk to each other for one hour without saying a word. It’s a miracle that their “chat” is so engrossing, even thrilling, and that only rarely does your mind wander.

A likely reason is that dance legend William Forsyth, once long time director of the Frankfurt  Ballet, first brought these two together, and this new collaboration shows all the smart wit and electric speed of the master himself.

The dancer-choreographers are Brigel Gjokamet, Albanian born and established performer with the Nederlands Dans Theater and The Forsythe Company, and Rauf “Rubber Legz” Yasit, a Los Angeles based, German-reared dancer and contortionist who defies  categorisation.

Their chatty charm draws on all gestures of conversation – the thoughtful finger on chin, the touch of elbows, the exclamation and arch exaggeration, all the moods from tears to laughter.  While the detail is exquisite, Neighbours also reaches into the folk traditions and stirring rhythms of Gjoka and Yasit’s respective Albanian and Kurdish heritages. A three way accord really takes off here with the haunting music of Rusan Filiztek. on drum, strings and computer; it’s a feast of Middle Eastern sounds, chants and melodies.

The initially silent details of exchange give way to a robust wave of joyous teamwork.

Curiously, the relationship between the two characters, and what they are talking about, remains enigmatic. They are simply being neighbours, close but always separate. If only all neighbours and their chat could reach such thrilling delights.

Martin Portus

Photographer: Brian Ca