Doublespeak
Doublespeak is a double feature dance performance presenting highly athletic and physically challenging works. First, dancers explore the meaning of being unique in today’s society. Followed by a strong all female cast that challenges the idea that men and women should be opposites, finding value and force in their femininity.
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31
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5:00 pm Doublespeak
See https://theatreinlondon.ca/2017/05/doublespeak/ for details.
Location: Palace Theatre
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5:00 pm
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1
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8:30 pm Doublespeak
See https://theatreinlondon.ca/2017/05/doublespeak/ for details.
Location: Palace Theatre
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8:30 pm
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2
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3
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4
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3:00 pm Doublespeak
See https://theatreinlondon.ca/2017/05/doublespeak/ for details.
Location: Palace Theatre
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3:00 pm
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5
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6
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8:30 pm Doublespeak
See https://theatreinlondon.ca/2017/05/doublespeak/ for details.
Location: Palace Theatre
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8:30 pm
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7
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5:15 pm Doublespeak
See https://theatreinlondon.ca/2017/05/doublespeak/ for details.
Location: Palace Theatre
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5:15 pm
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8
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9
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8:30 pm Doublespeak
See https://theatreinlondon.ca/2017/05/doublespeak/ for details.
Location: Palace Theatre
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8:30 pm
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Roger Ebert once said of reviewing films that “It’s not what a movie is about, it’s how it is about it.” The same goes for Fringe shows.
The program descriptions of the two pieces presented in Doublespeak do describe the performances, and there’s no doubt about the physical talents of the dancers in Doublespeak. Unfortunately, “An Absolute Condition”, the first segment, seems to be trying its hardest to keep the dancers from expressing any sort of relationship or garner empathy from the audience. By hiding their faces inside unicorn masks and keeping the stage dark to the point where it’s often difficult to make out the subtleties of their movements, the production takes away the most expressive part of the human body, the face. Combined with loud bass-heavy music crackling through the Palace speakers that has drive but no destination, it’s ultimately unsatisfying.
After an awkwardly empty two-minute “intermission” (announced beforehand), “The Boy’s Section” fares better in most aspects. However, it’s so repetitive in its mock football drills that it’s also hard to come away with anything resembling the deeper meaning suggested by the text.
These are talented, athletic dancers, and it’s worth seeing the show simply as a demonstration of their abilities and training. This is the first show ever for Low Five Dance, and I’ll be watching for them at the next Fringe.
(A note to companies at the Palace: the wings don’t hide nearly as much as you think they do, particularly when the curtains are partly drawn to allow group entrances and exits. Movement from backstage was distracting, and I was sitting almost dead-centre.)
Doublespeak is an energetic and passionately delivered dance show, if not always a fully engrossing one. It’s thematically broken into two halves, the first about individuality and the second about gender, without either theme really forcing its message out. The lack of beating-you-over-the-head-with-it may have been a good thing, but what seemed to be missing was an aspect of storytelling, of beginning/middle/end to these pieces which seemed to carry one note well, but uniformly, throughout the performance. This feat of strength and endurance was impressive, but emotional depth, breadth and range may have made this piece a lot more rewarding as a viewer.
Attended the performance on June 4, 2017 at Palace Theatre, Fringe Festival, and was so impressed with the young talent on stage. The choreography was incredible, and performances on both pieces so powerful! Brought tears to my eyes! Brava!
Today was my first time attending the London Fringe Festival. This performance was mesmerizing. What an amazing group of talented performers. Congrats!
This piece is a very well thought out and physically demanding work of art. It was entertaining, engrossing and exciting to watch. Both acts portrayed the different themes very well, and all of the dancers did a wonderful job. The experience of this entire show is a must see.
This is only the second time I’ve attended a fringe performance and I thought it was amazing. I truly enjoy dance and I was not disappointed by the performances in “Doublespeak”. Both troupes were incredible in their athleticism and expression. What I found I enjoyed the most was the story I was able to write myself for this artistic piece. The choreography, the music and the talent both groups of dancers brought to this performance make it worth seeing. A great experience. Bravo to all involved.