Flowing, twisting and turning around benches, this show will leave you wanting for more
Presented by Uppercut Dance Theater as part of Dancing City festival, Benched tells a beautiful tale about human relationships, between conflict and teamwork, all through the simplicity of benches.
Choreographed by Stephanie Thomasen, this show begins with three simple black benches in a line and five male dancers, each wearing different coloured jackets. The hypnotic music, combined with the seamless flow of the five moving bodies, takes the audience on a real journey. Even when it is not entirely explicit what the dancers are doing, this piece leaves us with the feeling that somehow, some type of exchange is happening between these people, in constant communication with each other, whether constructive or destructive. Even when the music intentionally stops, the communication is ongoing, this time expressed with some vocal sounds.
The five performers have an incredible mastery over their own bodies, balancing on the benches, pushing and pulling each other in what always seems like perfectly calculated movements, transforming themselves into human sculptures or creatures… They seem to be using each other, sometimes purposefully disregarding boundaries, other times collaborating in a beautiful way.
Humour is also part of this show, taking the form of miming, some dancers copying others in what looks like a game. They almost seem childish at times, refusing to let someone onto a bench, or pushing another off.
The benches are used in all possible ways, including using the audience benches and sitting on an audience member’s lap. Everything that can be done with those benches, is done. Whether sliding, standing, handstanding, jumping, shuffling, dragging themselves onto the benches, you name it, it is not for nothing that this piece was called Benched. The benches are moved, turned, slid, used as tables, slides, and a place where lovers meet.
The sensuality displayed between the male performers, even though expected in this dancing context, is much welcomed in a culture where affectionate male physical contact is still uncommon. The dancers are fully at ease with each other, whether behaving as lovers or mock fighting.
Towards the last third of the performance, the music switches to a flamenco-sounding guitar rhythm, accompanied by ever-more dynamic dancing, twisting and turning of benches.
Overall, this was a beautiful piece with dancers demonstrating enviable mastery over their own bodies, but also how much human relationships are a part of life.
Benched ran at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, as part of the Dancing City Festival that has now concluded.