Physical theatre and Dance are "Staged Literature"

Physical theatre is used to describe any mode of performance that pursues storytelling or drama through primarily and secondarily physical and mental means.The means of expression, seem to be primarily physical rather than textual, often working with emphasis on musical elements.

 Often a dance piece will call itself "physical theatre" because it included elements of spoken word, character or narrative and therefore be theatrical and physical. For this reason, contemporary theatre including post-modern performance, devised performance, visual performance, and post-dramatic performance, while having their own distinct definitions, is often simply labelled "physical theatre" without reason other than because it is unusual in some way. Through dance, It is possible to convey strong feelings and emotions, such as that of passion, in such a sensual dance as Tango.


Link to Youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHcEFvX5LgQ



A taste of Argentine Flamenco

Own Picture

 I attended to the "Flames of Desire" show of the Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. Being part of the audience of that show was a fascinating experience, as I experienced first hand how interspersed this particular kind of alluring music and dance is to the Argentine way of living. The close embrace of the dancers hips, chests, the way they touched each others bodies, the flow of their moves and hips, the closeness intimacy of their faces and lips, and how the man would lead the woman around with such strength are a form of physical language, which produced an extremely powerful and vivid sexual tension in the dance. The  complex footwork was augmented with gymnastic lifts, kicks, and drops,transmitted characteristics of playfulness and excitement, which mixed with everything is what Tango is all about.Emphasized by its provocative, exciting and incisive rhythm played by the quartet band live, the sound combined with stage action and other technical elements such as dimmed reddish ( symbolizing love andpassion) lighting so that the performance was filled with passion. 

Being inspired by the style and overall emotion, it encouraged me to research into the topic:

• ·      Argentine tango is usually marked by nostalgia, which is expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneón, and accompanied by a social dance.
• ·      It was said that it used to be looked down upon by the Argentinean elite because it originated from so-called “loose” women near the port area who would dance with sailors for a fee. And the nostalgia would originate from the feeling of parting and love that is lost, because of the knowledge that the sailors would eventually leave.
• ·      But since then, it gained popularity in places outside Argentina, including Paris.
• ·      In 2009, it was inscribed into the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage List that required Argentinians to study the form as early as kindergarten.

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/30419/argentine-tango-company-to-set-manila-on-‘fire’ -- News Article