The opening performance The Virus
Viruset is a performance where no real language is used, more body language, dance and expressions. The action itself is set in the near future where everything has gone really wrong. A small team is inside a bunker trying to save the world from misery.
As soon as we entered the hall, there was a big green light from the ceiling (pictured). The first impression of the performance was very cool, with this light. It made us expect the performance to be good. Some people didn't expect to like it, even though they expected it to be a stylish performance, while others didn't quite know what to think and were curious.
"The lighting at the start made us curious and immediately focused on what was happening on stage. The opening of the performance was a real bang start, which surprised us. We became interested in what the plot was all about. It would have been a good idea for us to read through the description of the show before it started, because without information it can be difficult to understand everything due to the foreign language. Despite this, the actors managed to convey the story in a good and exciting way. The actors mastered dance and body language in a great way and kept character and had good energy throughout the performance.
All the effects, use of light and use of sound fitted well together and made the performance a whole. All the lighting came at just the right time and the music and dance were perfectly timed.
Sometimes we wonder if everything that happens is planned, like for example, some cones used earlier in the play get under a carpet that is being used. The actors then have to take them out. If this is not planned, the actors handle it in a way that makes it part of the action. If it was planned, it just looks like a part of the play.
We think the target group for those who want to watch this for entertainment is middle school and up, while the target group for those who want to interpret is high school students and up.
All in all, very good actors, good lighting and sound and exciting even if you don't understand much of the plot.
The virus is a performance where there is no use of proper language; more body language, dance and expression. The action is set in the near future where everything has gone really sour. A small team is inside a bunker and try to save the world from misery.
Once we entered the venue there was a large, green light from the ceiling (pictured). The first impression of the show was very cool, with this light. We expected the show to be good. Some of us had no expectations about how we would like it, even though they expected it to be a classy performance, while others did not know quite what to believe and was curious.
The light in the beginning made sure we were curious and we immediately became focused on what happened on stage. The opening of the show was a real flying start, which surprised us. We were interested in what would happen next. It could have been smart to read through the description of the show before it started, because without information, it may be difficult to understand everything, because of the nonsense language. Despite this, the actors managed to convey the action in a good and exciting way. The actors danced and used body language in a nice way, kept in character and had good energy throughout the show.
All effects, the use of lighting and audio fit well together and made the performance a whole. All lights came on just in the right time and the music and dancing was perfectly timed.
Sometimes we wondered if all that happens is planned, such as some cones previously used in the piece falling under a blanket. The actors must pull them out. If this is not planned the actors handles it in a way that fits into the story. If it was planned it just looks like a part of the piece.
We think the audience for this for entertainment is secondary school and above, while the audience for those who want to interpret more into ir is secondary students and up.
All in all, very good actors, good lighting and sound and exciting even if one does not understand so much of the action.
Concept, direction, script, choreography: Jo Strømgren
Performers: Vânia Doutel Vaz, Dag Rune Sjøli, Mikkel Are Olsenlund, Ivar Örn Sverrisson
Stage design: Jo Strømgren
Costumes: Bregje van Balen
Sound design: Lars Årdal, Ola Erik Blæsterdalen
Lighting design: Eirik Brenne Torsethaugen
Co-production: The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Bærum Kulturhus - Regional Competence Center for Dance.
Supported by: Arts Council Norway
Photo: Knut Bry /Tin agent
Duration: 1 hour, no break
Languages: Incomprehensible Portuguese and Icelandic
Premiere: La Fabrika, Prague, October 17, 2016
link to information about the performance: http://www.showbox.no/pub/showbox/shows/?aid=1037&cid=39&viewall=1&eid=1038
Ida Ramstad, SUS