‘How Shall We Begin Again?’
The Start of 2023 has been a slow one creatively. Balancing the needs of real life and a creative career is tricky and I found myself putting a lot of energy into my survival work. However, I was lucky enough to be invited to partake in a live installation by Artist and Dancer Jo Fong (https://www.jofong.com). The key question being asked: “How Shall We Begin Again?”.
So what is ‘How Shall We Begin Again?’ as a show? Let me just borrow some of the copy from the ad on the Wales Millennium Centre’s site.
“How can I describe the performance… a collective action; between portraiture, protest and something like a prayer. Just a moment, to be in the moment.”
JO FONG
Fifty people will gather for a two-day performance. Across the two days, nothing repeats. Each moment will be different. You are invited to witness...
How Shall We Begin Again? is a live installation. It’s about the body, returning to the body.
“Dance this bold, cuts to the humanity in us all.”
KATE HALL, JUMPED UP THEATRE
CREATED AND PERFORMED BY 50 PEOPLE
Adeola Dewis, Andrew Tadd, Bert Van Gorp, Bunmi Odumosu, Dee Aud Rogers, Deepraj Singh, Catriona James, Cêt Haf, Deborah Light, Dominika Rau, Donna Males, Dylan Davies, Eddie Ladd, Etien Davies, Farah Allibhai, Frances Bolley, Gareth Clark, George Orange, Idrissa Camara, Indigo Tarran, Jacques Colgate, Jain Boon, Jessie Brett, Jo Fong, Jodi Ann Nicholson, Jonny Cotsen, June Campbell-Davies, Katherine Hall, Kevin McIntosh, Krystal Dawn Campbell, Krystal S. Lowe, Lara Ward, Liam Wallace, Linzy Na Nakorn, Marega Palser, Mari Hullett, Natasha Dawkes, ZiHong Mok, Nandi Andrea Payne, Osian Meilir, Poppy né Caroline Sabin, Rabab Ghazoul, Robin Liew Harper, Rosalind Hâf Brooks, Sahar Saki, Sara McGaughey, Sara Sirati, Shakeera Ahmun, Shivaangee Agrawal, Stuart Campbell, Tiago Gambogi, Thomas Lowe and Zosia Jo.
Still a bit vague perhaps. In honesty, it was for me too but it clarified itself as we went.
Basically, each of the performers would pick 12 pieces of music, of which only 3 would play during their part of the show. Each dancer, would go up on stage without any idea of what energy would present itself. Much of the rehearsals were therefore focused on simply learning to be in the moment. To channel whatever energy was felt in the room and move your body authentically.
Jo has steered us clear of the word ‘improv’ however. We weren’t making it up on the spot after all, as a lot of preparation was being put into channeling something in rehearsals. Something that could be put into action on the day of performance.
Aside from the individual performances, there would be group sections where we would work together to ‘clean the air’. Again, there would be channeling of a feeling in the moment, but with many people to riff off. In rehearsals, this has lead to some magical interactions between people that could likely not happen again organically. Every moment in every piece would therefore be unique in every way.
Though this whole process does culminate in a final performance, I do feel that the journey has been very much the meat of this project. I do not consider myself a dancer, so I’ve had to learn to embody my physical performance skills in a new way. I’ve also had to delve into my insecurities and ambitions in order to create moves and choreography that would showcase me as an individual. There’s been a lot of catharsis in this, exorcising some negativity and nurturing the good vibes. Am I dancer now? Probably not. But can I dance? Yes, absolutely. In my own way at least.
I’d like to thank Jo for offering me a place on this project. I was a little hesitant to join at first, but glad that I did, as it has been an amazing experience. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my body through this, and have channelled some positivity to carry myself forward into 2023.
As yet, the actual performance is yet to happen. So I hope to put my best foot forward on the 12th of Feb for my little bit of physical portraiture!
Perhaps it’s a month late but hello 2023!
If you’re here, interested and the time is still right, maybe check out the show! Tickets available at: https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2023/how-shall-we-begin-again
