DV8 Physical Theatre: John

Mainly focusing on one man’s life, ‘John’ successfully delved into dark themes such as parental neglect, substance abuse and HIV while remaining entertaining and enthralling. Hannes Langolf’s performance as John was gripping, with his bold, jutting movements reflecting the intensity of his experiences, while his calm, chatty delivery of a real story (read verbatim) drew one in to empathise with and understand the characters rather than feeling preached at or like a distant viewer. The revolving set was both technically impressive and stylistically effective, conveying a constant sense of movement and activity in a turbulent life. The superb performers were intricately and beguilingly choreographed, resulting in a powerful, moving piece of dance theatre.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 28 January 2015
Rating:
Joe Fuller