Me and my shadows

Shadows and reflections have always triggered all sorts of fantasies. Theatre itself, in the words of many playwrights and theorists, is nothing but a game of shadows. Today, filmic and computer-generated or manipulated projections have taken the place of what was once cleverly done with candles and mirrors. Indeed, projections seem to have become a distinctive and annoyingly trendy trademark of contemporary theatre, for they seem to pop up everywhere, more or less appropriately. Tired of images that detract and distract from both the music and the meaningful or expressive physicality of dance performances, I, like many, believe that using projections to add an aura of pseudo-cultural gravitas to a piece is the main indicator of poor creativity. But I am glad to admit that there are times when I am proved wrong. Take, for instance, shall i sit here by the Swiss/British choreographer Rahel Vonmoos, performed last Saturday at The Place as part of the Spring Loaded season.