When is an homage not an homage? Before we start tying ourselves up in esoteric knots, let's cut to the chase. This performance was weird. Weird, weird, weird but in the very best kind of way.
| Nijinsky Siam Pichet Klunchun Dance Company |
| Victoria Theatre |
| May 26 2010 |
Confused? Let's set the stage. A troupe of three classical Thai dancers, under the direction of celebrated dancer Pichet Klunchun, reconstructed the poses and movements of legendary dancer Vaslav Nijinsky's in his Danse Siamoise against a backdrop of B&W stills and largely to the sounds of silence. And speaking of Simon and Garfunkel, it was definitely a case of Hello Darkness My Old Friend, Pichet Klunchun had certainly Come to Talk With Vaslav Nijinsky Again.
First performed at the Paris Opera in 1910, the original piece was based on choreographers Fokine and Leon Bakst's memories of traditional Siamese dancers who performed in St. Petersburg in 1900.
100 years after the premiere of Danse Siamoise, in his own words, Pichet Klunchun incarnates the spirit of Nijinsky in Nijinsky Siam - and when we say 'incarnate' we mean INCARNATE.
You could have cut the atmosphere in the Victoria Theatre's auditorium with a knife and yes, the temperature did drop inexplicably...
This astonishing performance (try jumping upright from a seated position and not landing flat on your derriere) is as close as any of us will ever get to Monsieur Nijinsky. Pichet Klunchun was, by his own admission in the candid Q&A session following the performance, "channeling" the Ballet Great and boy, did we believe him.
This dancer/choreographer has talent and passion in spades and his creation brings to life Nijinsky's athleticism, timing and sensibility that until now we have only seen in scratchy film and murky photographs. Klunchen spent six intense months creating his masterpiece and we can only guess at the creative corners he must have negotiated on this journey.
Nijinsky must be pirouetting in his grave whilst shouting "Bravo" to his disciple Pichet Klunchun. 100 years on, Nijinsky Siam is as close as you'll ever get to the Master, and for this, spooky or not, we thank you Pichet Klunchun.
* Images courtesy of Pichet Klunchun
Liesel Duhon | 10 June 2010
