one4review | On 08, Aug 2016

THE Sacrifice of Roaring is being shown as part of the Fringe’s Taiwan Season. The Hsu Chen Wei Production Dance Company present a contemporary dance performance inspired by Taiwanese rituals related to mortality and resurrection.

The performance begins with a narrative in Mandarin, (helpfully translated in a printed handout into English for the audience) in which a young man describes an unfortunate incident in his working day. On stage is a shrine, where he lights incense and appears to pray. Three other-worldly young women appear, and begin a mysterious performance of dance and physical theatre, accompanied by chanting and singing. The stage is eerily lit by a single red lantern. The dancers writhe and tumble around the stage, appearing to be by turns in agony, and in ecstasy. A guitar soundtrack, coupled with the red lighting and smoke machine gives an air of a hallucinogenic arts ‘event’ from the 1960’s.

The dance was well executed, and the atmosphere created was unsettling. However, although I found the performance interesting and certainly different, I feel that I left the venue with more questions than answers.

Reviewed by Shiona

ZOO Sanctuary (Venue 124) – 140 Pleasance
Aug 5-7, 9-14, 16-21, 23-29 18:30 (40 min)