Old school
When we entered the hall, the stage was covered with old furniture and props that matched the description of the play (link to description at the bottom of the article). One of the dancers was also out in the audience during the entrance. This made us more engaged and curious about what was going to happen.
Oldschool is a dance performance about Absence and their encounter with the nursing home and old age. They refuse to realize that they have grown old and that their bodies are not what they once were.
We had a number of expectations before this performance. Since it's a well-known dance group that has been much talked about, we had high expectations of the dancers. After seeing these six talented dancers in action, we are very pleased. We also had high expectations for the costumes and masks as we had heard that they were very realistic. Absence really performed and we were left with a good feeling after the performance.
One thing I liked was that Absence played very much on being old. It all opens with the six members walking out one by one, either with a limp or a walker. This was humorous and really played on the show's name. Later on, elements and props we associate with being old are also used, such as bingo, senior gym and reminiscing about the past. I think this made it all very funny.
I myself was surprised by the music used. I imagined that they were going to use new and modern music, but instead they used more old-fashioned jazz. The combination of breakdance and this kind of music worked incredibly well, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
Absence includes the audience in a good way, both with gaze and action. Both we and the rest of the audience liked this.
The only thing we thought was a minus with the performance was that there was no concrete message, and something that had to be interpreted. After the performance, we talked to one of the members who explained to us what the idea behind "Oldschool" was. He explained to us that the idea came from the fact that they are starting to feel old physically, and that the performance was about Absence as old people and what they think it will be like when they are in a retirement home.
Personally, I loved the show. It was humorous, interesting and the dancing was jaw-dropping. Absence was always in character, which made it all more believable. I was also impressed with the masks they used. They looked incredibly real and it was a lot of fun. After the performance I was left with a good feeling and my mood was great.
When we entered the venue the stage was covered with old furniture and props that matched well with the description of the piece. One of the dancers was also there among the audience walking in to the venue. This meant that we were more involved and curious about what was going to happen.
Oldschool is a dance performance about Absence and their encounter with the old home and old age. They refuse to realize that they have become old and that the body is not what it once was.
We had some expectations before this performance. Since it is a known dance group that has been much discussed, we had high expectations. Having seen these six talented dancers in action, we are enthralled. We also had high expectations for the costumes and masks since we had heard that they were very realistic. We were left with a good feeling after the show.
One thing I enjoyed was that Absence played really good on it being old. It all opened by the six members come walking out one by one, either limp or with a walker. This was humorous and played really well on the show's name. Later they used elements and props we associate with being old, like bingo, gymnastics and reminiscing about the past. I think this made it all very amusing.
I was surprised by how they used the music. I imagined that they would use new and modern music, but instead they used the more old-fashioned jazz. The combination of breakdance and such music worked incredibly nice, and I'm pleasantly surprised.
Absence includes the audience in a good way, both by sight and action. Both we and the rest of the audience enjoyed this.
The only thing we thought was a minus with the show was that it was not a specific message, or anything that might be interpreted. In retrospect of the show, we got to talking to one of its members and he explained to us what the idea behind "Oldschool" was. He explained to us that the idea came to them as they begun to see themselves as old, and how they think it will be when they are in nursery homes.
Personally I loved the show. It was humorous, interesting and the dancing was jaw-dropping. Absencekept in character, which made it all the more credible. I was also impressed with the masks. They looked amazingly real thing and it was really fun. After the performance I was left with a good feeling and my mood was great.
Idea, choreography: Absence
Cast: Andreas Roksvåg, Piero Issa, Daniel Grindeland, Halvard Haldorsen, Christopher Bottolfsen, Ole Petter Knarvik
Sound, lighting technician: Kristian Brusletto Kjærholt
Costume design: Linn Therese Michelsen
Mask: Mette Noodt
Target group: from 8 years
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Link to information about the performance: http://www.showbox.no/pub/showbox/shows/?aid=1042&cid=39&viewall=1&eid=1043
Julie Karlsen, SUS