Joseph Simons: First Things First -
Gasworks, South Melbourne, May 17 -
Joseph Simons is an engaging personality and a wonderful mover. His body ripples, contorts, judders, jumps and does everything he asks of it. He is completely in control of his technique and his classically trained body is a marvel to watch.
First Things First, as the title indicates, is a one-man show ostensibly about the transitory nature of first time experiences. Simon establishes the theme right from the start, meeting audience members in the foyer before they go in, and thereby creating an informal and companionable atmosphere. Once the lights are down, he continues to talk to the audience, and even makes a point of referring to some by their names. The show continues to incorporate spoken text as well as dance, including a centrepiece monologue about a time when he found himself lost in a hotel when trying to meet up with his friend. Simons wryly encapsulates the awkward and embarrassing moments we have all experienced when faced with the unfamiliar – and transforms his observations into wonderful, quirky dance.
While his dance vocabulary is inventive, as an overarching theme the idea is less well developed. It might well be responsible for the show's fresh feel, but the theme is treated lightly rather than given new insight and is a slim linking device. Nonetheless, Simons creates an appealing onstage character, reminiscent at times of the great mime artists of the past, and he is at all times compelling to watch.
The set is clean – beginning with black clothing neatly placed on the white floor to form an attractive pattern and a single hanger on a clothes rack. The colours are white, black and red. The music – a range of nostalgic and amusing pieces from Herp Albert's Tijuana Brass playing "The Spanish Flea" to a yodelling song, add to the work's humour and charm. At roughly an hour long, the show never flags.
It is great to see that this Tanja Liedtke Fellowship holder has a sense of humour – an all too rare quality that Liedtke had in spades.
– KAREN VAN ULZEN
First Things First continues on to Ballaraat, Swan Hill and Horsham in Victoria, then further regional centres in South Australia. For full details click http://josephsimonsdance.com/first-things-first-ticket-bookings
Photo of Joseph Simon by Brian Jamie