Gabriele Reuter performance

Ellen Terry 19-01-12

 'Inventory'

 It initially felt slightly surreal to witness a performance by a professional artist with so much experience and understanding of performance in a space that I knew so well. This was a space that I primarily know a practice space, not a performance space.

When expected to write an essay on what I saw in this performance I find it very hard to do so without first getting my thoughts, impressions, feelings, moods down in my own way... so here we go.

 Having done some rather brief research into the work of Gabby Reuter, I was able to go into the performance with a little prior knowledge and understanding of what might happen. Was this an advantage or a disadvantage? I'm not entirely sure. To have pre-conceptions is not always the most useful thing. But I shall move on.

 At ease in the space and confident both in her movement and her words, Gabby walks onto stage very close to the audience and addresses everyone as if they are already acquaintances. Her comfortable manner and use of humour gives her the presence of a story-teller or a narrator. The audience feel safe in the knowledge that she knows exactly what will happen and when. Gabby proceeds to split the space into different 'pockets' of meaning, creating wonderful images for the audience to indulge in. The ratio between her movement and use of text is beautifully balanced throughout the piece. Her openness and candour is refreshing and captivating for an audience. I know myself that I didn't want it to end! And this, I think, is all I am going to tell you for now. The piece is still going round in my head. I believe, however, that it is safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed this performance...!

 http://www.gabrielereuter.de/

Inspirations and interests...

Listening to a Crossing Borders talk by Miranda Tufnell and Eva Karczag, I was struck by their very similar work ethic and views on the importance on understanding the body. They also mentioned this film by Anna Halprin as something to see! The trailer certainly looks interesting! http://www.independentdance.co.uk/what/exchanges/crossing-borders-talks.htm