The Roundhouse – The Cultural Exposé

Something you should seee… Robert Lepage’s Playing Cards 1: Spades

Laura Thornley — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:00:42 +0000

Robert Lepage has been an international name in the arts since the 1980s. Primarily he is a theatre director, but having also gained critical acclaim through cinema, opera and live production for rock shows and exhibitions, Lepage is also one of the most prolific creatives going today. He started his theatre studies in Quebec at the age of 17 and has gone on to be a driving force in theatre, run his own multidiscipline production company Ex Machina (that brought the traditional performing arts into the digital age) and win countless awards. So tickets for his new production at the Roundhouse could be hot property then?

Playing Cards is a 12 hour marathon production, but luckily it’s broken down into each card suit, making it into easier to swallow 3 hour pieces. Spades, the first instalment, is designed for a very particular kind of theatre, the 360-degree stage. And where else could it tour to other than Camden’s amazing space?

Running for less than a month, the play is already gaining an incredible amount of attention. It began its international tour in Madrid May 2012 and has gained momentum since. Spades begins its story in Las Vegas at the beginning of the Iraq – and weaves a web of sex, corruption and violence. Lepage is bringing his usual blend of “theatre wizardry” – but with no Paul Daniels in sight. Peter Gabriel once described Lepage as a theatre director for people who don’t like theatre – someone who converts the none-believers? We’re already sold on this one Peter. (words: Laura Thornley)

Playing Cards 1: Spades runs until March 2nd. For more info visit: www.roundhouse.org.uk/cards

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Somewhere you should go… Fuerzabruta at The Roundhouse

Laura Thornley — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:00:51 +0000

If you were in London six years ago, you may remember Fuerzabruta’s last visit to the Roundhouse. It’s still fresh in the mind of those who saw it and that’s why there is such a buzz surrounding the return of this theatrical show.

Described as a 360-theatre experience, the performance takes place at every angle possible around the audience’s head. Men run full pelt through obstacles, performers act out choreographed sequences in water pools suspended from the ceiling, and acrobats spin and fall amongst suspended fabric. all against a thumping bass soundtrack. No surprises that the name of the show literally means ‘brute force’ and tickets are for standing room only.

The visual effects are what have earned the show a name and are the trademark of Diqui James, the creative director and driving force of Fuerzabruta. Founded in 2002, James had already co-founded De La Guarda, which operated from 1993 to 2006, with many of the members following him to Fuerzabruta. Prime importance to the band of performers is to be experimental. And, considering many who saw them first time round haven’t been able to witness anything like it since, it’s safe to say they are still the ones pushing the boundaries of high adrenalin theatre.

The show only lasts 60 minutes, but that’s presumably because your heart couldn’t take much more. Having been described as theatre for clubgoers, this theatre experience straggles a pumping techno night and an action film sequence which sounds like a pretty good combination to us. The show runs until late January, a perfect lift for the New Year. (Words: Laura Thornley)

For more info, visit: www.roundhouse.org.uk/fuerzabruta

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Somewhere you should go… Roots Manuva, The Roundhouse

Laura Thornley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:44 +0000

The unmistakeable voice of Mr Rodney Smith has been gracing the British Hip-Hop scene for over a decade now and here’s your chance to bear witness to his greatness at the Roundhouse in Camden on February 4th. His musical style has developed and matured over the years but there is something so genuinely British and remarkable about this artist, he’s practically a national treasure. Bearing more resemblance to the dark cloud bass of Tricky or the provincial working class lyrics of MC Pitman than any Hip-Hop you would hear of across the pond – it may not surprise you to hear that Rodney now spends most of his time in steel town Sheffield, rather than his hometown of London. Perhaps he finds more inspiration in Henderson’s relish than busy tubes? (and why not, we say.)

His talent, of course has not gone unnoticed, with the MOBOs awarding him breakthrough artist when he first came on the scene in 1998, followed by a steady stream of albums and collaborations since then. Word has it he’s even started writing an opera (let’s hope he hasn’t sought inspiration from R Kelly!) and he’s continuing to push boundaries by promoting ‘Dub College’ events that feature the likes of London-based producer The Bug and reggae legend Dawn Penn. So expect to be taken on a roller coaster ride of hip-hop, bass culture and strictly vibes to kick start your February rather brilliantly. (Words: Laura Thornley)

For more info, visit www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/productions/roots-manuva.

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