Get back to your feet. You are about to be transported to a bizarre realm of dreams and darkness: the world of the Dance Marathon. Drawing inspiration from the endurance-based competitions of the Great Depression, Bluemouth Inc’s participatory production captures the eclecticism, uncertainty and extremes of the postmodern age. Audience members are allocated a number before being herded down a dark alleyway and into the hall to take up their positions on the floor as participants. Warned that if any pair of feet became still their owner would be eliminated, the adrenalin builds and the battle to become a champion begins. The crowd freestyles to the live band, follows on in a Charleston and races through a derby. Mania ensues as the need to win overcomes all. Trapped in a euphoric haze, the arbitrary eliminations become gradually more difficult to take and fatigue sets in. The once wholly upbeat dance-a-thon is now interspersed with dark songs, tormented monologues and contorted movement compositions. The constructed element of the show becomes clearer as plants, already established within the audience, reveal themselves through choreographed sequences of despair. This pairing of ecstasy with melancholy brings reality crashing down. This is life. Dance Marathon is not without its flaws. Some transitions between sections are clunky and the sound system is temperamental. This, however, detracts nothing from its charm. The piece is completely immersive and delivers something very rare: pure enjoyment. So join in while you can. Maybe learn The Madison first though... Trust me.
