Anagoor is an all-encompassing performance, celebrating theatre without words. It is as if being inside a painting- as it is created, layer upon layer- with very careful consideration of the formal relationship between each of the elements. The audience is invited to enter into a mysterious space where meaning is uncertain.
Things disappear and reappear- as they would in the making of a painting- creating a constantly changing painterly triptych. The three frames consist of a large glass box, in which two live performers slowly move; and two screens, onto which videos are projected. The images in the three frames compliment each other, adding to the close attention to detail. In a midst of smoke we watch a performer slowly remove a bright red jumper, as if it were a stroke of red paint. Close ups of this act are projected onto the two screens, the red being carefully moved across each of the canvases in subtly different ways.
Sound dramatically affects the atmosphere, further encompassing us into this world of moving images. It creates a collective fear amongst us; as soon as we begin to relax, the intensity of the sound suddenly increases, causing the whole space to vibrate, so much that we jump in fright. The music is never mere accompaniment to the images: the performers do not move to its rhythm. It exists very much as its own element in the space, and usually in juxtaposition to what we see. It is only in the moments of extreme intensity that the sound corresponds to the images: light moves as if it is beating in rhythm to the music; fans spin and sounds exaggerate their whirr; films show trees and hair blowing in the wind and loud whooshing sounds emphasise the winds effect. We also literally feel this wind, created by a large fan in the space.
This Italian theatre is refreshing, alluring and memorable. It provides a truly unique experience which cannot be properly described in words. I urge you to see it!
http://www.mimefest.co.uk/anagoor-2011.html
Words: Harriet Piper
