Part catwalk, part Sistine chapel, part artists’ commune, part couples therapy, part cooking show and part contemporary dance performance, ” Bahala/o is impressive and fun.
At Metro Arts until Saturday, 29th November, Bahala/o is based on the Filipino philosophy of “Bahala Na! (Whatever happens, happens). So beware.
The audience is seamlessly and kindly involved in the performance.
Clare Dark and Buddy Malbasias dance a partnership into creation for almost 50 minutes, supported only by the breeze of a pedestal fan and the delight of the audience. As you’d expect at Metro Arts, this performance is impossible to classify. Choreographed by Buddy, Bahala/o combines modern dance moves against music composed by Ellen King, a bag of rice and that breeze-producing fan.
Buddy and Clare are superb dancers. Both are formally trained and are establishing themselves as independent dancers and performers.
Bahala/o showcased their skills beautifully.
But the main thing I took away from their performance was that, when men and women wear the same clothes, their power differential shifts. They become equal in unexpected ways. Clare and Buddy’s performance demonstrates this phenomenon. Aeron Maevin, Costume Designer, Cutter and Maker was inspired. The three costumes were the same. The performers’ vulnerability was the same. The presence was the same. We concentrated on their skill, on the “story” which, of course, we had to bring to the performance. It felt very comfortable.
And when the performers reached out to the audience, it erupted in giggles.
The creatives team also included Dramaturg Liesel Zink, Cultural Mentor Buboy Raquitico, Lighting Designer Briana Clark, Stage Manager Petria Leong and Voice Coach Jo Loth.
This is a polished performance, with real intention.
And if you missed that bit, Buddy invited us to remember the thousands of Filipinas without power and roofs over their heads after Typhoon Fung-wong (Uwan) hit the northern Philippines in early November, causing widespread devastation so shortly after Typhoon Kalmaegi.
You can donate to the Philippines Red Cross (www.redcros.org.ph) via PayPal and UnitingWorld (Australia-based) with a direct deposit to: BSB 032-014 Account Number 182657, reference “Philippines”. But do double-check before sending funds.
It was a hectic, gentle performance. If you can attend tonight, get along to Metro Arts in the Village at West End.
Kerry McGovern
