EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Contemporary?

BWW speaks to Agne Ramanauskaite, Paulius Tamole and Mantas Stabacinskas from Contemporary? ahead of their run at the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Contemporary?

We really wanted to create a parody of contemporary dance that is be ironic, fun and would make us and the viewer smile, we hope we have!

This is probably the first time that three Lithuania dancers have collaborated on a show that looks at the contemporary dance scene with an ironic edge, pointing out the clichéd movements, phrases, and even the costume details. What does a contemporary dance piece consist of? What does it talk about? Which objects are necessary and which are optional? Does the audience ever understand what it is all about? Do we need to explain the meaning of the piece to the audience?

How has audience response been so far to Contemporary?

The most important thing about the audience is that Contemporary? never leaves anyone cold- no matter where they come from and what language they speak. It does not matter if you know contemporary dance very well or not - or even if you are just seeing it for the first time in your life. Contemporary? is free of language and artistic barriers the humour manages to make everyone laugh out loud! ouches everyone in the audience and situations happening on stage often makes them smile.

Who would you recommend comes to see Contemporary?

Basically anyone with a sense of humour. People who like to take a risk on a show they don't know, who can not decide what to see at the Fringe festival, andmost importantly those who want to have a great time.

What sets Contemporary? Apart from other dance shows at this years festival?

We think it's probably the first time that Eastern European dancers are trying to laugh at themselves and some of the clichés of their work on stage. We think it is important that this show, unlike others, tries to see creativity and contemporary dance from the other side. People at the show might feel like they are looking into the bedroom through the key hole, this performance is so very open, sincere and personal. Everything that happens on stage is the absolute truth, based on events and experiences that we have had as dancers.

What's next for Contemporary? after the Fringe?

After performing at the "Alto Fest" in Naples, Italy, we had some time at home to pack our bags for the Fringe. After the Fringe, we will not even have time for that because we fly straight to Beijing, China to perform. When we return home from China we start a new run of the show in Lithuania then head out to another tour taking in Bulgaria and Albania in November.

Timings and ticket information for Contemporary? are available on the edfringe website.