Video

2Faced Dance 'Still Breathing'

Published Wednesday, 26 August, 2009 | Comments

We have seen, many times, an attempt to fuse together street/break dancing and contemporary work into a recognisable show. Most of the time it fails for one reason or another, has 2Faced Dance figured out the magic formula?

The all male dance company, helmed by Tamsin Fitzgerald, has brough 'Still Breathing' to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Zoo Southside, competing with DanceBase and the Traverse for the home of dance shows in Edinburgh, is the venue for the show.

2Faced began ten years ago with professional status coming along in 2004 and true to their claim 'Still Breathing' is a mix of forms and we have to say, here in TheLab™, that it works a lot better than most, mainly because the dancers are top drawer.

Also on the "Spooky but True" front; The company is based in Hereford, England, the home of the SAS! Coincidence?

They say of this work;

"STILL BREATHING will break new ground for visceral contemporary dance company 2FaCeD DaNcE and pioneering Artistic Director Tamsin Fitzgerald, whose original juxtaposition of contemporary and street dance has won acclaim across the nation.

Playing Edinburgh's top dance venue at Zoo Southside from 7th-31st August 2009, the show is sharper, sexier and more soulful show than ever before, promising new heights for the company's legacy of critically acclaimed Edinburgh sell-outs."

Dancers: Johnny Autin, Nathan French, Dan Lowenstein, Mathew Chambers, Taylor Benjamin, Robby Graham and Jake Nwongu

'Still Breathing' is running at the Zoo Southside in Edinburgh until August 31st then touring around the country. Check the company's website for details.

[ 2Faced Website ]

  • S

    It sounds to me like you don't understand the nature of a personal opinion as opposed to a personal attack! It's good to disagree and debate and remember we are all entitled to our opinions as individuals - that's what makes us interesting artists. Also as a dancer I get tired of the contemporary world being so far up each other's you know whats that they don't ever make an honest critique.



    Why would you think because someone didn't appreciate a company's work they would have to have been involved emotionally with the company? Seems a strange comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the show, I didn't but I did enjoy debating it with you!

  • h

    I also watched 2faced Dance Co at Edinburgh and I have to say I enjoyed it.

    The company were strong, powerful and breath taking to watch. It was so refreshing to see so many different trained bodies with different styles and strengths coming together.

    Yes there were bits I didn't like and I do think the 'theme' could have been a stronger influence through out but we can all pick at anything.



    It sounds like the first comment is a personal attack on the company. Begrudeged ex lover perhaps?

    Also, as a dancer, I do get tired of hearing people trying to define the meaning of Contemporary dance. What gives them the pompous thought that they can say what is worthy to call contemporary and what isn't?

    I know what it was and that's a good show, well performed

  • Anonymous

    I have been going to Edinburgh Festival for years and it was my first time seeing 2FacedDanceCompany. And i can happily say i was blown away from beginning to end.



    I am a dancer myself trained in Ballet and Contemporary dance and I found it refreshing to watch.



    So thankyou 2FacedDanceCompany.

  • Ian

    I agree completely, the artistic reasoning behind contemporary dance (Which is VERY definately an artform, by the way, not just visually appealing and nicely performed movement) should not suffer because of commercial viability. Mediocrity at the cost of audience numbers and is not an answer ever.

  • S

    It can be commercially viable and I am all for accessible work but has to be quality choreography.

  • We would struggle to believe that someone could fall asleep with music that loud but each to their own. Also, why can't contemporary work also be commercially viable?

  • Anonymous

    I totally disagree. I left the show in Edinburgh feeling angry and upset that such a piece of shallow, arrogant, embarassing commercial dance was being masqueraded as contemporary dance. It lacked any depth, intelligence or emotional engagement the sections that were trying to be "deep" were cheesy and embarassing.



    The choreography, structure of the piece and "mickey mousing" of the music was superficial and amateur. The performers hadn't been stretched in their projection or performance skills and at times were confrontational in their energy yet blank in their faces. Don't get me wrong the dancers were incredibly talented and had lots of good tricks for a gymnastic presentation or a breakdancing battle but only 1 (and 2 others occasionally) drew me into his movement as he had a soft, fluid quality not found in the others or not drawn out by the choreographer.



    A non-dancer friend I took fell asleep and a more experienced audience member spent most of it covering his face in embarassment or laughing - neither responses I have witnessed at contemporary dance shows before.



    It seems that Tamsin Fitzgerald has found a formula to sell out to what seemed like a mainly non-dance Edinburgh audience: 8 topless men and lots of backflips but personally that's not what I go to contemporary dance to see, I expect a piece to make me think / laugh / cry I want to be moved or I want to see something magical and or beautiful - sadly "STILL BREATHING" was none of these things and instead I left with steam coming out of my ears!

blog comments powered by Disqus