Phrases by Sarah Lapinsky.
Sunniva Moen Rørvik aka Huge Papa Slug (they/them) definitely made a splash on the opening evening of Decision pageant at The Place. Within the pageant targeted on supporting the event of latest works, particularly “that piece you all the time needed to make,” we definitely discovered a gem with Purple Lick. Recognising that this piece is probably not for these within the stern formality of a classical piece, the comical, unserious playfulness spreads pleasure to people who select to enter into this world.
Half 1:
Lights come up and Huge Papa Slug is entrance and centre in white whereas the opposite six dancers path in a V-formation behind them. Staring blankly on the viewers to a rating of raging dance music, they slowly increase the glasses to their faces with all of the depth they will muster. With glasses lastly adorned, Rørvik tears off their monitor pants earlier than their shirt is ripped off to disclose their chest on full show to the group’s cheers and whoops. Already, the world is obvious that something can occur and nothing is off limits on this piece.
With out shedding a beat, home lights come up and a practical transition to half 2 takes place: Costume items are stricken, 4 dancers in black take their locations and a chair is ready as two performers enter holding with a black sheet to cover the chair…
Half 2:
The 4 dancers start what I can solely describe as an elevated, sarcastic macarena (there’s a clip of it on their Instagram and I might be studying it earlier than my subsequent evening out). I do not know how they’re sustaining their straight-faces, particularly when the sheet is pulled away to point out Rørvik now wearing a jean skirt and vest with a placing white horseshoe mustache. Now, I have to admit I don’t perceive this reference* and even what they’re saying because the tune is in Norwegian, however because the viewers begins clapping alongside to point out assist, I do know for certain that lip-syncing can save the world. Rørvik drips with charisma as they enter the theatre to serenade varied viewers members earlier than returning to the stage for a giant end adopted by the luxurious awkwardness as the home lights come up once more and the dancers make their means off stage.
*Rørvik clarified it is a reference to Trønderrock band, D.D.E.
Half 3:
The stage is clean and flooded with blue gentle as a performer enters from the again nook scuttling towards the viewers with their face in a reduce out of one thing. As they transfer nearer, I can see the second pair of toes shuffling from behind them to push their face into the cutout of what I now can see is a Pepsi Max can. They proceed transferring towards the viewers taking house within the reduce out and pushing the opposite out (fairly actually in ours and one another’s faces) till they attain the viewers and provides one thing to one of many spectators. I couldn’t fairly make out what this was from my seat, however I’d presume some glasses or a soda? Regardless, the roar of laughter was sufficiently entertaining even when I didn’t get the joke. In accordance with the construction, the performers unceremoniously exit with inelegant bourrees off the stage.
Half 4:
Three dancers take to the stage carrying an enormous material factor because the chair comes again as soon as once more to be positioned entrance and middle on the level of the V as the material is unravelled to disclose a cape. Rørvik enters and takes their place standing on the chair to have a wig positioned on their head because the is cape tied onto them. Once more, I’ve not a clue what that is reference** to, however that doesn’t cease my enjoyment as they lip-sync alongside to the tune. The viewers is undoubtedly into it particularly as soon as the hairdryers come out so as to add much more ambiance. The part ends with applause because the tune ends and much more indulgent blankness as we transition to the subsequent part.
**Seems the tune is “Fairytale” by Alexander Rybak which gained Eurovision for Norway in 2009.
Half 5:
A performer with cue playing cards and a personality I’d name an enforcer enter the stage. The cue card says “applause” and so we accomplish that till the cardboard is discarded and the subsequent one says “cease.” So begins a sport of silent simon says- the obedient viewers amusingly follows our cues of “giggle,” “cease,” a reluctant “boo,” “cease,” “woo,” “cease” and at last an image of a drum as we slap our thighs to set the stage for the finale.
Half 6:
This half I recognised instantly. In a ultimate homage to mom, Girl Gaga, Rørvik enters alongside the diagonal in a white shirt with a purple material meant to be blood popping out of their chest recalling the 2009 VMA efficiency of Girl Gaga. ‘Paparazzi’ performs loudly on the audio system as the remainder of the solid joins on stage in a pile flailing on the bottom. All of them arrive, however SURPRISE- extra dancers! The lights fade as the enormous pile of performers writhe on the bottom with ardour for whomever they’re the largest fan of in that second till the blackout comes they usually take their bow.
An thrilling piece stuffed with spectacular reveals, the one factor I’d say as they proceed refining the work is to search out the ultimate ending. In fact, that’s a ridiculously tough process when your piece is stuffed with so many unimaginable endings (severely, I believe we applauded at the very least six or seven instances). Really, what this piece introduced was pleasure and playfulness, which on this day is extremely useful and worthwhile. I’m excited to see the long run iterations of this work come to fruition and simply how a lot wilder we will get (I’ll remember to brush up on my Norwegian Trønderrock earlier than subsequent time although).
Forged and Credit:
Choreographer: Sunniva Moen Rørvik
Producer: Becky David
Costume: Löe D’Arcy
Dancers: Bel Eade, Sula Fortress, Yu-Chien Cheng, Roseann Dendy, Löe D’Arcy, Andrea Callaghan
Header picture: Olivia Wallis Jackson Pictures
@owallisjackson.pictures. Featured: Löe D’Arcy (to the left) and Bel Eade (to the correct).
Purple Lick premiered at The Place a part of Decision Competition 2023 Thursday, Might 18th.