Anna Burnside reviews a production filled with 'a combination of movements that mix the familiar with the unexpected and the frankly unbelievable'.
It’s hard, as a Scottish person, not to be carried away by the Brazilian dance spectacle of Grupo Corpo. Twenty-two bendy bodies plus unpredictable rhythms and beats and a combination of movements that mix the familiar with the unexpected and the frankly unbelievable.
It seems churlish to respond with anything other than: wow.
The first half is soundtracked by Gilberto Gil, reconfiguring existing music for this production. It features the signature Grupo Corpo mix of ballet, contemporary dance and Brazilian folk styles, with feet that pivot from the elegance of the elongated foot to the clumpier flexed position. As a combination it's very distinctive. Throw in effortless back bends and the odd cheeky shimmy and there’s much to enjoy.
There is no narrative to follow or plot to concern the viewer: it’s an immersive experience to a backdrop of giant sunflowers that wither in reverse.
The second half, Gira, is more dynamic, with changes of pace and clangy, discordant jazz from the São Paulo trio Metá Metá. Both men and women are bare-chested in billowing white skirts. Somehow, they are all Josephine Baker and Marilyn Monroe at the same time.
At the show’s climax, the biggest of the male dancers whirl on stage, their costumes pulsating with testosterone. Brazil has never seemed more attractive.
Grupo Corpo performs at the Edinburgh Playhouse as part of the Edinburgh International Festival from August 5-7, 2024.
Photo by Andrew Perry.
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