More! Fagin’s Twist is the marvellous show from hip hop dance company Avant Garde Dance Company. Its artistic director Tony Adigun, speaks with Victoria Nangle
What particularly attracted you to Dickens’ Oliver Twist as a tale to lend itself to contemporary hip hop dance?
At first the appeal was the idea of telling a well known story. Then came the need to bring something fresh and innovative to the stage. A new version of a story you thought you knew. There was a constant tug of war between respecting the old but wanting to usher in the new.
It is appositely relevant to tell a tale of Dickensian poverty in the current times of change. Can you explain how this is reflected in the performance?
Our story concentrates on five of the main characters – Fagin, Oliver, Bill, Nancy and Artful Dodger – and their want for more… be it wealth, love or trust. I think that is what is relevant and is something that is somewhat a constant through changing times. I try to connect with the basic instincts we have as humans in order to connect and evolve. I’m a fan of the underdog and I’m continuously trying to rally people who aren’t as confident to go for that ‘Disney Dream’ – I think this story carries that same optimism.
Trying to rally people who aren’t as confident to go for that ‘Disney Dream’
Your Fagin has been created in a form that sheds a light of benevolence in his behaviour – what was behind your decision to do this?
I started with the original story and wasn’t satisfied. In Fagin, I saw a character, a villain who in many ways was misunderstood. People loved him and people hated him, and this was why I chose to base the show around him. Was he bad? Was he good? I think the jury may still be out on that one but he definitely offered so much as a character to explore.
You also, provocatively, cast a woman to play Oliver. This feels inkeeping with British theatre history of ‘principal boys’ being played by women and Shakespeare’s cross-dressing. What were your motives?
To be honest, it’s not really a conscious political statement. For me the right performer is the right performer no matter what. Sometimes portraying a character is more about taking on their demeanour and their aura. If they have that then they are in!
Fagin’s Twist is co-programmed with South East Dance, Attenborough Centre For the Creative Arts, Thursday 14 & Friday 15 December 7pm, Saturday 16 December 3.30pm & 7pm, £12/10, family ticket £35
Coming Highlights
The Famous Laren Barri Holstein: Notorious
The famous plunges into the ghostly underworld of popular culture, seeking the redeptive purity behind her own promiscuous behaviour, in this irreverent pop-phenomenon of music, dance, & witch-bitch ritual.
Thursday 23 November, 8pm, £12/10
Brighton Rock: Redux
As part of his onging Redux Project, Richard DeDomenici collaborates with local volunteers to recreate sections of popular films, shot for shot, in the original locations, with budget props, costumes and effects – which he edits and premieres in front of an audience, often with a few days. From Brighton DeDomenici plans to remake scenes from Brighton Rock, on the anniversary of its original release in 1947. See ACCA website to learn how to take part in the film – www.attenboroughcentre.com
Friday 24 November, 8pm, Free
DakhaBrakha
Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, Ukrainian ‘ethno
-chaos’ band DakhaBrakha create a world of unexpected new music.
Expect theatrics and tribal musical moments reminiscent of Radiohead, Chicks on Speed and Beastie Boys.
Thursday 30 November, 8pm, £15
David Hoyle: Diamond
Presented in association with The Marlborough Theatre, Diamond is an unforgiving queer performance of sexuality and British culture exploring LGBT history from 1957 to 2017 throguh the personal biography of avant garde performer David Hoyle.
Saturday 2 December, 8pm, £12/10
Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts is an interdisciplinary arts hub connecting University of Sussex with Brighton & Hove and the wider national and international arts communities.
The centre is cultural hub for the University of Sussex and the wider arts and local communities to come together for regular performances, screenings, exhibitions and conferences. Led by Creative Director Laura McDermott, the centre presents a programme of contemporary arts including music, theatre, dance, live art, discussion & debate and digital practices.
Formerly known as the Gardner Arts Centre, the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts opened in 2016, following a bar/café fit-out and installation of state-of-the-art lighting, sound and audio-visual equipment. The building is Grade II* listed and containing a 350-seat flexible auditorium, studios and stunning cafe-bar on the edge of the South Downs.
www.attenboroughcentre.com / 01273 678 822
