Political Mother

The cast of Political Mother. Photo by Gabriele Zucca.

A samurai stabs himself in the stomach, the stage goes dark. This is the opening scene of Political Mother, a visually exciting and thematically jarring dance/rock show created by Israeli-born composer and choreographer Hofesh Shechter, now playing for a short run at the Bluma Appel Theatre as part of Canadian Stage’s 2012/2013 season.

Acclaimed throughout Europe for its unique staging and bold socio-political commentary, the 70-minute performance features 12 exceptionally talented dancers, seven male and five female, thrashing about the stage to rhythmic percussion by a row of military drummers and metal guitar by five musicians overhead. The dance is hypnotizing throughout, as the dancers run on and off the stage, coming together and leaping apart in a series of animalistic movements and wild gestures. At times they appear to be praying, while at other moments they follow zombie-like after some unseen leader, as an angry dictator screams gibberish from above.

The cyclical motion of pulsating bodies accompanied by abrasive noise and innovative lighting design makes for an intense theatre experience, an assault on the senses—in a good way. For in all of the chaos there is some evidence of control and a glimmer of hope emerges from the desperation to reveal a deep human connection—a belief in love and community. See it while you can!

Political Mother runs until October 28 at the Bluma Appel Theatre. Visit canadianstage.com for more information and to buy tickets.

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