Last
Autumn, Germany
Leipzig is an outstanding German town which manages effortlessly
to set its sleepy history alongside today’s fast paced contemporary
demands. It is therefore no wonder that hiding in curious little
pockets between the shiny tram lines, Leipzig is host to Euro-Scene,
the highly regarded festival of contemporary European theatre and
dance.
Das Beste Deutsche Tanzsolo (»Best German Dance Solo«)
is based on a concept by Alain Platel from Ghent, and last autumn
the popular competition was held for the 8th time as part of Euro-Scene.
Anyone may apply, whether professional or amateur, with a solo of
5 minutes in length. Festival Director Ann-Elisabeth Wolff explained
that they were searching for “charisma, individuality and
power of persuasion. Style, age or nationality are irrelevant and
it is expressly encouraged to submit entries with unique dance creations
and unconventional interpretations!”
Following an internal pre-selection
of 300 applicants, Ben Jammin’ was short listed to present
the old favourite "Like A Rainbow" to a panel of judges.
Having slightly re-worked the piece to make it the 5mins required
duration, and after a terrible interview which was all my fault,
we were invited back to perform before a live audience and a five
strong jury, on a round table of 7m diameter.
Ben's pink adidas-ballet shelltoed-pointe
shoe fell off in the first 2mins of his 5mins of fame, and I was
given the stupid task of playing the music at the right point which
I nearly fettled there and then. At the end of the evening all dozen
of the dancers were back on stage. Strangely enough, the compare
was speaking in German so we didn’t understand what was happening.
He gave dancers roses and they left the stage to rapturous applause
but Ben was still stood on stage. Some more German, then the audience
clapped and Ben left the stage with 4 other dancers and no rose...
"Ve vill see you again tomorrow, ya!"
"Ben, what does this mean?"
"I think I'm through to the final"
"Are you sure?? There must be some mistake.."
I'm so glad I saved that Feigen fruit snack classic for a celebration!
Yes! Ben was through to the final!
At about 11.30pm on Sunday night,
Ben tied his ribbons up tightly and added a few staples for good
measure. This was it! The international final of what was essentially,
a contemporary dance competition. The crowd weren't as hyped as
the night before but although they felt a little reserved, it was
still an intimate and warmly received performance. The shoe stayed
on and I even pressed the button at the right time for the music
:-)
.
After all the pieces, Ben was
again back up on the stage. This time he did get a rose and as he
was sent off, people were booing! What an impact! One of the organisers
said it was her favourite piece; Another said it was really moving.
The compare and director, René Reinhardt was 100% rooting
for us and really wants to see more of our work. Aswell as being
the only representatives from the UK, “Like A Rainbow”
was the only piece in the final which hadn’t been choreographed
by the dancer. The judges were extremely impressed by the achieved
sensitivity in our collaboration. There were x4 prizes: 1st, 2nd,
3rd and a prize for the audiences' favourite. The prize for the
audiences' favourite went to the person who also came 2nd. Ben narrowly
missed out as we were told that he was second in line for this prize
- so I guess, out of a total of 300+ applicants, Ben came 4th!
WELL DONE BEN and thankyou for
dancing it so beautifully.
MANY THANKS TO THE COMMITTEE for giving us this opportunity to represent!
TrubL Roc
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