BREVIEW: Imbalance @ The Patrick Centre 27.04.17

BREVIEW: Imbalance @ The Patrick Centre 27.04.17 / Moving Productions

Words by Charlotte Heap / Pics by Moving Productions

Dynamic dance duo Joli Vyann explored the impact of society’s obsession with technology on our everyday lives with their latest show Imbalance, on a starkly furnished set at The Patrick Centre

Ex-stuntman Jan Patzke and ex-gymnast Olivia Quale, who formed Joli Vyann almost five years ago, have said that they enjoy ‘the subtleties and sophistication of lighting and intimate and focused environment’ that indoor spaces provide. But the gloom in the Hippodrome‘s dedicated dance studio, both before and after Thursday night’s performance, meant that I missed the programme note explaining how Quayle had been replaced by Maélie Palomo – a second year student at the National Center of Circus Arts.

(Ed’s note… A spokesperson from DanceXchange later explained Olivia Quale had hurt her wrist. Maélie Palomo, who had been training alongside Quale, was elected to stand in for the Birmingham performances.)

The intimacy of The Patrick Centre proved a harsh spotlight on the young understudy, as she struggled at times to execute choreographer Jonathan Lunn’s vision as the audience is asked ‘When and how do we separate BREVIEW: Imbalance @ The Patrick Centre 27.04.17 / Moving Productionsourselves from the virtual chaos surrounding us?’ The technological revolution has changed fundamental parts of our lives, how we communicate and how we think; understanding its impact has become a hot topic across the arts.

Jonathan Lunn and Joli Vyann, working together for the first time, sought to use their fusion of dance and circus to explore the undeniable impact of technological temptations and terrors. Just two chairs and a table sat on the stage of this stripped back spectacle; the only props were mobile phones and laptops, whilst Patzke and Palomo wore nondescript costumes. Meditative chanting accompanied a brilliantly understated opening sequence which encapsulated a familiar scene: people present in each other’s company but transfixed with technology. However the challenging choreography caused the clearly shaking pair to stumble, and, in the audience, a sense of unease settled.

The scenes progressed with unrelenting acrobatics which held a mirror to modern life in a more deliberately unsettling manner. Drawing strength from a full auditorium, the duo demonstrated impressive physicality in their movement. The table and chairs were used extensively, both clunkily and cleverly, to represent communicative barriers.  We moved through moments that resonated and amused: the couple moving like boxers, circling each BREVIEW: Imbalance @ The Patrick Centre 27.04.17 / Moving Productionsother, tangling and twisting whilst glued to their smart devices. The soundtrack provided by Dougie Evans, co-Artistic Director of Lila Dance, featured snippets of speech from all walks of society, reinforcing the message that technology is connecting us globally but distancing us intimately.

The storytelling, however, did waver. A brief exploration of cyber bullying and suicide seemed perfunctory and slightly puzzling. The choreography was clever, showcasing impressive gymnastic skills, but like the story it lacked fluidity. Some of the elaborate acrobatics felt forced; if you’ll excuse the pun, the blend of circus with dance felt imbalanced. Imbalance carried a strong, if simple, message but was ultimately frustrating; the best moments, for a purist, came when technology and acrobatic ambition were abandoned. Too infrequently, the couple found pleasantly breath-taking synergy in slick dance sequences.

Patzke and Quayle have been performing their mix of dance, circus skills and stunts as Joli Vyann for half a decade. Palomo perhaps suffered for being a stand in; she is undoubtedly talented and was ultimately impressive, but the couple’s unfamiliarity did detract from the polish of the performance.

Imbalance is only Joli Vyann’s second indoor show and demonstrates the not-fully-realised ambition of this unique style. The acrobatics were breath-taking, but Imbalance’s impact suffered for a focus on fantastic feats. 

For more on Imbalance, visit www.joli-vyann.com/dance-and-theatre-company-performances/imbalance

For more from Joli Vyann, visit www.joli-vyann.com

For more from DanceXchange, including full event listing and online ticket sales, visit www.dancexchange.org.uk

BPREVIEW: Imbalance @ The Patrick Centre 26-7.04.17

BPREVIEW: Imbalance @ The Patrick Centre 26-7.04.17 / Moving Productions

Words by Charlotte Heap / Pics by Moving Productions

Are you in or out of balance? Do you spend every waking moment scrolling on your smart device? Is your virtual existence enhancing or stunting your reality?

Joli Vyann are exploring the impact of society’s obsession with technology on our everyday lives with their latest production, Imbalance – performed at The Patrick Centre on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th April.

Doors open at 8pm with tickets priced at £14, as presented by DanceXchange and Joli Vyann. For direct event info, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

Ex-stuntman Jan Patzke and ex-gymnast Olivia Quale formed Joli Vyann almost five years ago and have been celebrated for their unique fusion of dance and circus: winning the audience prize at the Stockton International Riverside Festival for the dramatically playful Don’t Drink and Dance. The flexible friends now turn their impressive athleticism and acrobatics to a look at our obsessive dependence on technology.

Ah, technology… both the saviour and scourge of society. One can hardly fail to notice that modern life’s every interaction is punctuated by the ping of a mobile phone. There exists, today, a desperate demand for constant entertainment brought to us in more and more convenient forms. It is unassailable that the Internet and technological revolution have changed the way we live, how we interact, and how we think. Alongside the current culture of ‘fake news’, it will be interesting to see how Joli Vyann’s Imbalance tackles this hot topic, asking ‘when and how do we separate ourselves from the virtual chaos surrounding us?’

BPREVIEW: Imbalance @ The Patrick Centre 26-7.04.17 / Moving ProductionsFor Imbalance, the duo are collaborating for the first time with acclaimed choreographer and director Jonathan Lunn, renowned for his work on films Truly, Madly, Deeply and Love Actually.

Individually Jan Patzke and Olivia Quale have impressive credentials, and having worked with many companies and choreographers – including Dragone, Legs on the Wall, Motionhouse and Cirq’ulation Locale – the pair have honed their craft together, performing their blend of dance, circus skills and stunts together for half a decade. Imbalance is their second indoor show, following Stateless in 2015. As Joli Vyann they’ve created a further two well-received outdoor shows, Lance moi en L’air and H2H, and will be reprising the former following the Imbalance tour in France, Graz and Ireland.

Jan Patzke and Olivia Quale have stated that they enjoy “the subtleties and sophistication of lighting and intimate and focused environment” that performing indoors provides. The Patrick Centre, home to DanceXchange and ‘the first dedicated dance space outside of London’, provides an appropriately intimate space for Joli Vyann’s acrobatic spectacle.

Imbalance – Joli Vyann

Imbalance comes to The Patrick Centre on Wed 26th and Thurs 27 April, as presented by Joli Vyann and DanceXchange. For direct gig info and online tickets sales, click here.

For more on Imbalance, visit www.joli-vyann.com/dance-and-theatre-company-performances/imbalance

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For more from Joli Vyann, visit www.joli-vyann.com

For more from DanceXchange, including full event listing and online ticket sales, visit www.dancexchange.org.uk