The Roundhouse

Reviews for The Roundhouse

• 5

  The Roundhouse

  Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8EH uk
  
  Mez

  20th September 2006

  Fuerzabruta at the Roundhouse theatre

  Current

  Fantastic theatre. As its name suggests, it's round. I went to see Fuerzabruta there which is a show that's difficult to categorise. Sokratis' description is very comprehensive although it gives a lot of it away! One of the most invigorating, original, wild, and vivid shows you'll ever see in your life. It'll get all your senses going and more. 22nd century theatre is already here.

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• 5

  The Roundhouse

  Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8EH uk
  
  sokratis

  19th September 2006

  Fuerza Bruta

  Current

  Well while I'm on a cool events at great places' theme I have to write about Fuerza Bruta at the Roundhouse. I'm afraid my writing skills want do this act justice. We need to introduce video capability for that.
  
  Fuerza Bruta is an Argentine group of performers who, as the name suggests, have a lot of brute force stored up inside them. Where do I start and how do I describe it? Ok, here goes it. Before I start you can take a look yourselves at http://www.fuerzabruta.net
  
  At the beginning you are ushered into this great round dark hall (that's the roundhouse more on that later) with everyone else. Everyone is standing on the same floor and you're told that you have to move around according to the ushers instructions. OK, you think this will be interesting. And it is. The opening act consists of a huge elevated treadmill and a guy that starts running until he get shot. Hmm this is interesting you think. The rest of the performers join in and keep falling on and off the treadmill, symbolising the futility and stress of modern life, which seems to a theme running across the 1.5 hours performance (that's me been artistic here, I don't know if this was indeed the directors intention)
  
  I have to keep the review shortish to keep from getting bored so I ll list the most interesting bits.
  At some point this huge sheet of what looks like foil is suspended across the perimeters of the hall (which is round). Loud electro-house starts playing and these women that are suspended start running across the ceiling and the walls seemingly floating across the room. Incredible.
  
  The best bit is saved for last when this transparent swimming pool' is lowered from the ceiling. Now this thing is about 20 square meters, contains a thin layer of water and 5 girls with bikinis and white t-shirts that start sliding across it. The pool is lowered at nearly head height so that the viewers can actually touch it before it is raised and lowered again. I can see you going Aaaahhh, trying to picture what that looks like, but I'm afraid you'll have to use your imagination or go and see those guys, as pictures were not allowed during that stage due to nudity.
  
  More fun stuff included people suspended from a gigantic rotating disk, wrecking a mock-up office and other great performances.
  
  And now for the place itself. The Roundhouse is a true gem. Very well architected and with a great bar overlooking Chalk Farm road. It's a real boost to the area and I thoroughly recommend it for a drink and ideally an event. Check them out herehttp://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/..Imogen Heap is playing on October 31 if you re into this sort of thing.
  

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