
4 minute read
Yesterday once more
from 2018-04 Adelaide
by Indian Link
showing Seeta in silhouette as she performed robotic movements like a puppet on a string. The effect was much like a shadow dance and this theme of remaining unseen or in darkness for periods continued through the performance.
The storyline of the show appeared to have the socio-political theme of the subjugation of peoples by oppressors who promise ‘…rivers flowing with chocolate’ in a land of dreams. But there is ‘an iron fist in a cotton glove’ to rule the conquered with. What evolved was more of a theatre piece with the story unfolding in movement, dance, music and almost continuous poetic and evocative narration. At one point with the stage in total darkness, the audience was left listening to news broadcasts, and on another occasion to music, for fair periods of time.
Much time was spent with angular pieces of perspex being moved around on the floor. At times appearing to represent invading sailing boats, at others possibly ramparts. One had to wonder at the choreographic effect being portrayed. Similarly, a large woman’s plait was dropped from the ceiling which eventually the dancer continued to finish plaiting, occasionally tapping her feet in the Bharatanatyam rhythm.
Seeta has great stage presence, an expressive face and hands, and a lightness to her movements. When given the opportunity to produce flowing action, it was nice to see her effortless display of the art of dance.
was a perspex wall on the stage. Occasionally, Seeta would go behind this, showing the audience a distorted vision of herself, perhaps for artistic effect. But what followed was interesting. She picked up a can of a white paint-like liquid and proceeded painstakingly to pour it along the inside of the perspex wall. All the while, the audience had an obstructed view of her as the liquid made its way to the floor. And then she proceeded to smear it on the wall so she was now completely hidden from view for a fair time. It was a literal representation of the ‘white-washing’ of history, done possibly at the expense of showing the audience the magic of her dancing.
There was narration of a ten-headed serpent and bright jewels that tumbled through the earth and of another land beyond the seas. The accompanying music included what sounded like pastoral music and opera at one stage. The intended lighting scheme had been compromised due to limitations of the venue which, however, was aptly suited for an intimate show such as this.
The finale saw Seeta dressed in a gown made of polythene with a crown on her head, sounding like a dictator giving a rousing speech of blood having to be spilt as a small price to pay for the greater good.
As the flyer said ‘History is passed on from generation to generation. But what if the story is not what it seems?’
Should we hope, or should we despair?
It seems that modern Asian dancers are straining at the leash of their traditional training in Indian classical dance, wanting something more. Collaborations with choreographers and other artists steeped in contemporary styles provide a convenient pathway for exploration and self-expression. This was evidenced recently when
> completely sold out and an audience comprising many from the medical profession, it was certainly going to be an interesting evening with much knowing, sympathetic laughter.
As Dr Ahmed went through the evening, one had to admire his ability to portray characters vividly. So he would put on accents, take on the mannerisms of young ladies or the elderly as required or the crotchety responses of difficult patients. He is clearly an acute observer of people and situations around him, and is able to tease out the funny side of things and bring them to his audience in a punchy manner. There were no taboo subjects for Dr
Seeta Patel, a UK-based dancer with a background in Bharatanatyam, presented her show, Not Today’s Yesterday, at the 2018 Adelaide Fringe. Choreography was by Lina Limosani, an Australian dancer/ teacher with worldwide experience who brought her creative influence to the program.
The dance started with back-lighting,
Ahmed. Not shy to mention his Muslim heritage, he talked of being racially profiled at airports, referred to his ‘mocha’ skin and was quite happy to talk about his stereotypical pushy mother. But now being a doctor keeps mum happy and being a comedian keeps him happy. In each case, he did not sugar-coat the topic but brought it out in a humorous manner for the audience to see the absurdity or the funny side of things.
Having worked in Perth at one time, Dr Ahmed had plenty of amusing Aussie medical anecdotes to relate, which he did putting on a quite dinkum accent as well. And in the middle of the show, he
Throughout the performance, there
Avi Chandiok
surprised us all by bursting into a cabaretstyle rendition of the Home and Away theme song.
Part of the show included advice to medical students about issues they may face. His first tip was to make sure the practitioner sees the right patient. As Dr Ahmed explained he has been right through consultations only to find at the end that the person he is seeing is not who he was expecting to see. He has had issues where patients enter his office and actually sit down on his chair next to the computer. Or where some patients, and in his experience mainly men, when asked “So what is the problem,” come up with the answer “You are the doctor, you tell me.”
Some advice to patients was to dress appropriately when visiting their GP. He gave the example of a young lady who had hurt her knee but came in wearing tight jeans. As the jeans would not roll up above the knee he suggested she take them off so he could examine the knee only to be told she wasn’t wearing any knickers.
Thinking about it, many of the anecdotes were perhaps surprising but not necessarily funny. What brought out the humour was the poise, the delivery, the actions, the timing, and the-off-the cuff asides. The gestures with the face and hands, and small things like drumming together of fingers to denote a love of money, all added up to making people laugh, enjoy and indeed respect a super performer.
So how do you close out an excellent night of comedy and cabaret. Singing cabaret style is Dr Ahmed’s other love and we were treated to a hilarious and unexpected rendition of Let it Go from Frozen, complete with a tiara, wand and cape. Then to top it all, a Bollywood death scene finishing with an energetic bhangra/Bollywood dance number.
He described it as ‘a happy ending.’ Avi Chandiok