Play in Life and Life in Play (On the Example of Alexander Ekman’s ‘Play’)

Abstract

“You will become an adult and say: I reached my goal! However, you won’t feel better, and this feeling will cause the frustration and you will capture that everything is the same, as it was before” – this is the quote from the text which is revealed in new masterpiece – “Play” created by Alexander Ekman, the outstanding modern choreographer. One might have an impression that the monologue is about the chorographer himself, because in his young age he already worked for leading and prestigious ballet and dance theaters of the World, cooperated with the best and well known ballet troupes and companies, as the choreographer acquired nearly all highest awards that exist in the sphere of theater of art and choreography in the World, reached the peak of the popularity, became critiques’ favorite and acquired fans from all over the World – where people have seen or even have not seen his plays (only on TV, or Internet); however, only Ekman is not concerned with the issue that he proposes in his new work. Problems, which the choreographer touches upon in his new piece is common for the modern Europe, subsequently the humanity is also facing some sort of dilemma. Play is the first creative project of the outstanding modern choreographer with the individual manuscript in the "Opéra National de Paris", which he implemented through engaging theater artists and its creative team (Composer Mikael Karlsson and Costumes design Xavier Ronze).

Theatrical language of Ekman is exceptional with its internal and sharp humor, which unites melo-dramatism, classical and modern ballet, addresses the quotes from the modern choreographers’ works, however still creates original, specific and different version, which excites the audience. Performance with its concept and artistic decisions represents an important statement, which along with the unnoticed universe will help to explore new planet of modern choreography and theater, which assures you in human phantasy without borders. Choreographer successfully achieved the goal and audience forgot real life and transferred them into another universe.

Based on the example of the main character, Ekman tells the story of the life of the modern human from birth to death. In the beginning everything is white (main character is dressed in white shorts and orange shirt), atmosphere is relaxed and filled with joy and happiness. About 35 actors on the stage create childish happiness. The main character still does not know how to walk, gets familiar with the universe and absorbs life, is treated in the system (as if he is a puppet) where he is pushed by the environment. Despite these restrictions children are free and fly like birds in this healthy, meanwhile in the environment framed by the laws. They play, play a lot and different games. In front of the audience strikes the memories about childish games which was played by everybody. Ekman created nonlinear, diagonal compositions. He created compositions, which reach asynchronous harmony. Staging looks like the bird flock during maneuver, which breaks the composition but keeps the same speed and rhythm. Actors’ movements are similar to the animal flock’s movement filmed from the crane which strives somewhere and creates united team from the top view. Consequently, the character in general represents a childish naive society that acts by psychology of mass in reaction to any type of provocation.

In the content of Play, from the beginning is emerging a strict, teacher-type expressions, which instead of teaching is remembered with her instructional, prohibitive gestures. People are going through the different stages of lives and the rules of gaming are changing but the essence of life does not change, we still play. Game becomes harder and heavier, circled environment expends and it becomes smaller and more closed… Ekman is an outstanding choreographer and thinks with great sense of humor, who builds his work based on the principles of associations, without any excessive subtext. It is simple and understandable for everybody; however, it is very original. Separate episodes are encrypted for coding and solving them delivers us to the uninterruptible chain plot. Ekman uses metaphor language in his dances, which is coming to life sometimes through costumes and sometimes through lighting.

Ekman loves cubes and surrounded, pointed-quadratic lighting. He used such technique in “cacti” and nowadays he develops such finding in “Play”. In the third act big balls are transferred in the stalls and audience gets involved in the game like in “Snow Show” by Slava Polunin. One more quote from Ekman’s “Play”: “Play” represents impressive and unforgettable creation, which makes you think, entertains, provides aesthetic pleasure and makes you forget life which you had before entering the theatre. You begin to play and don’t want to finish it. “Whole life is a theater and we all, men and women are the actors of this theater” – Ekman’s performance concept is based upon Shakespeare’s concept. Everybody plays in the universe because it provides enjoyment and everybody has to do it.