MASS EFFECT
Main Hall, Summerhall
til 26th Aug
“Mass Effect is an award-winning, high-intensity performance. Together, the cast push their physical limits, deal with exhaustion, motivation, and group dynamics. Spatial patterns carve out complex running formations and team collaboration becomes key, as they push to the limits of their physical thresholds, moving beyond exhaustion. Members of the local community join the stage in the end of the performance. Pumping up the energy to offer that last push to keep going, filling the theatre with an energetic pulse and a total Mass Effect. A tremendous spectacle that fills the room with vitality and joy. Part of #Danish
Members of the local community will join the dancers on stage in the last 15 minutes of this 45 minute performance. They enter stage and pump up the energy to offer the 5 performers that last push to keep going. The community members help activate the crowd effect, filling the theatre with an energetic pulse and a total Mass Effect.”
The result is a tremendous spectacle that fills the room with vitality and joy, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats and wishing to join those on stage.
Review by Richard Lambert, 4 Stars
This is a high energy performance dance piece that feels like a continuous high impact aerobics class. The troupe are well drilled and use float mics that pickup the noise from their feet along with breath and counting to create the rhythms.
It feels tribal and is quite exhausting to watch.
I have no idea how the five dancers can go through this gruelling performance every day. It’s an insane level of energy!
As the show progresses the dancers slwoly strip until by the end they’re naked.
As described in the Press Release, a further 10 dancers join them on stage in a semi-circle and dance a sort of Maori set of movements. Some of these additional dancers also get naked, some do not. It’s a little unclear why the local dancers would want to paraticipate if they don’t feel comfortable with the stripping considering that’s what the finale would appear to be all about.
It’s a unique show that must have taken hours and hours of practise to come up with the movements, rhythms and then learnt it all so precisely. This is a show you’ll remember from the Fringe.
Photo credit: Christoffer Brekne
Choreographer and Artistic Director of HIMHERANDIT Andreas Constantinou said:
“Mass Effect will make you want to jump out of your seat and join on stage, to pulse, pump, move and unite with the dancers. This is a performance about resilience and endurance and how the energy and power of people can make us transcend and go beyond our own limitations.”
Mass Effect won the Cph Culture Award for best dance performance 2021, was nominated for Aarhus theatre award 2021 (Scenekunstprisen 2021), and was nominated for a National Theatre Award (Reumert Award) in the category of best performance in 2021.
#DANISH is the Danish showcase at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023. #DANISH is curated and funded by The Danish Arts Foundation. After an inaugural online season in 2021 and a sophomore success in 2022 #DANISH is back for 2023 with a range of incredible work.
CREATIVE TEAM
Artistic Director/Choreographer: Andreas Constantinou
Performers: Aris Papadopoulos, Theo Marion-Wuillemin, Paola Drera, Elise Ludinard, Heli Pippingskold
Light design / Sound design / Technical Manager: Jeppe Cohrt
Producers: Art&About – Sigrid Aakvik & Signe Sandvej
Co-producers: Bora Bora – dans og visuelt teater
Follow
Website: https://www.himherandit.com
Facebook: HIMHERANDIT Productions – https://www.facebook.com/HIMHERANDIT/
Instagram: @himherandit – https://www.instagram.com/himherandit/#