We are currently in our 4th week of creating Bawren’s ‘’Sensual Africa’’ which has been quite a strenuous and exciting process. The constant onslaught of choreography and stamina provoking movement has really showed me how strong a company this is in both a professional and emotional sense.
We start each day the same, with a class led by either Bawren or another member of the company at 10:30 which lasts for roughly an hour and thirty minutes. On the occasions when we have Bawren we usually end up doing a new phrase of movement half way through class, which will then be picked up in rehearsal. This allows our bodies to fully warm up since many of the phrases are very quick paced and energetic and also allows him to have the chance to adapt it and play around with new ideas without wasting the precious little time we have.
Often the biggest challenge I’ve found, besides achieving the individual style that Bawren creates, is remembering how Bawren has changed a particular phrase or whether he’s added some extra section to a previous movement. Because he is constantly seeing new things and gaining fresh ideas each day we have to be more on our guard in case he stops and says ‘’I Like that’’ or ‘’ see how they did that so lets...’’, dreaded words if he sees some nigh impossible movement preformed by an Asian circus group and gets inspired....
Of course for all the constant changes and tweaks it does make it more fun and entertaining when something gains a slightly more ‘’provocative’’ nature, often causing bouts of laughter or not so well hidden giggles. But allowing the chance to stand back and watch how the movement plays out your mind is constantly trying to work out where one person’s body begins and the others ends. The dance could contain fluid and relaxed gyrations of every part of the body then all of a sudden limbs would become entwined and interlocked in stunning shapes and closeness.
Bawren has not only been working on developing complex and grounded traditional sequences but has also used each dancer’s strengths to create individual solos and phrases. Moments of constant turning and dynamic sharp movements make their way into one person’s solo whilst another may be playing on their flexible limbs or fluid and suspended control.
The music is also an ongoing affair of complex change and exciting creativeness that is very connected to the whole process of this work. On some occasions Bawren will run a section of work to one particular piece of music but then will often change his mind or try seeing it to a different accompaniment, a usual occurrence where the music can suddenly take on a nasty speedy twist or even something quite dark and disturbing. Although this is a normal process for many choreographers, for Tavaziva it is something that is more inspirational and personal since the music is created by Bawren himself. A greater opportunity arises because of this; too produce music that really compliments the dancing on an emotional level as well as establishing highlights in the music that respond to certain parts of the choreography.
Bawren gave the group the opportunity to create a small section of movement to a new track he had produced. What emerged was a quite grounded and paced choreography which utilised lots of isolation and static movement. He then choreographed another section which felt more like some evil workout with jumps that leapt form a seated position and snappy twists and tumbles. The final outcome was actually quite an exuberant and dynamic section, even if it felt as if ones lungs had shrivelled into empty sacks.
We tend to finish around 6 pm and yet somehow manage to achieve huge amounts of work considering length of time we have in our day, including breaks. Although we are focusing on creating an entirely new piece we haven’t allowed ourselves to become overly stressed or daunted by an incredibly demanding situation. Everyone helps to keep each other positive by sneaking in quick jokes or breaking out in fits of laughter yet remaining resolute and professional throughout. The work that has been developed thus far is truly innovative and beautiful due to both Bawren’s and the dancer’s exceptional talents and is beginning to form an exhilarating new choreography.
