Abbie Lowe
Everybody’s Got a Bomb is a contemporary dance piece depicting the shocking state of the world we are currently living in, its effects of isolation and frustration, and the desperation to fight for change but ultimately feeling like you have no power at all. This show moves through moments of violence, personal fight, and reflection through a mix of disjointed and juxtaposing fluid movement pieces.
From the minute the lights come up, every single performer is captivating, working together to create a perfect ensemble. Through isolated duets, beautiful still images, and some grasping group performances, there is no doubting the talent and skill of this company. Partnered work really stood out to me in this piece, the dancers bodies moving so well together, and the choreography really elevating intense relationships between two players.
Just when I was questioning where the rage was, it materialised.
When the women started to use their voices, it provided the female rage and anger I craved in this piece. Tearing each other apart in fights, and barking at the audience were standout moments. This audience confrontation was so exciting, yet not used enough in the piece. Aside from a fleeting moment of eye contact, the audience felt removed from the action, struggling to invest ourselves in the action.
Later, this rage was found again, as dancers ran across the stage, threatening to crash in to each other – a fantastic representation of political fatigue. Wanting to do so much, feeling so much that it becomes too heavy. This is where I felt the political resistance of the piece.
A stand-out moment was a solo dancer moving to their own beat, in what could be seen as a completely different world onstage. This small moment of respite, their smile, secured this piece for me. Everybody’s Got a Bomb needs more moments like this escape. A few more small glimmers of hope.
The technical elements really helped the performance to shine. Beautifully complimented by the lighting, the design backlights the performers perfectly. Behind dimmed lights, there are more performers in the shadows constantly moving and waiting, telling different stories. That feeling of constant background noise, catching your eye every now and then, portrays an incredible impending doom.
When dance and movement pieces use silence for impact, it is so powerful, and Everybody’s Got a Bomb employed silence in a meaningful way. A lengthy section of the piece, where all you could hear was heavy breath and limbs hitting the floor, was an impactful moment.
Everybody’s Got a Bomb is a mesmerising hour of pain and resistance. It is a great showcase of dance as an art form, and you won’t be able to look away.
Recommended drink: A freezing cold glass of water, sharp and shocking on a first sip, pulling your mind straight to the present.
You can see Everybody’s Got a Bomb at ZOO Southside from August 11-16 at 12.30 (60mins). Tickets are available now at the EdFringe Box Office.
Shay Mace
Salvador Kent
Finlay Clench
