Thursday 13 August 2015

UTOPIA LIVE LATES- Roundhouse: 12.08.15


Arlene Philips


The last time I stepped foot into the Roundhouse was for a January performance of 'Fuerzabruta' which took me from sub-zero temperatures to beautiful Braziliana over a dreamy evening of wide entertainment. Roundhouse are known for making their events feel exclusive and bespoke, and I was expecting to be captured after hearing the title of the performance.

Initially drawn to the night because of the dance names involved (Arlene Philips, Tommy Franzen and ZooNation) I have to admit that the installation was a second thought. However, the wonderful thing about 'mash-ups' is that the people behind it don't just mix together different forms and genres, but they bring you into the blender and combine your tastes with something new, expanding your horizons and world view at the same time.

Utopia was an idea conceived in collaboration with artist Penny Woolcock, who's work focuses on telling stories, the grittier, real stories that surround us and make our world what it truly is. It became immediately apparant that the installation was a red siren raising awareness about our obsession with material objects, celebrity and wealth. It's just what I needed, as I had spent the last few days browsing for new threads, trainers and Brazilian blow-dry's, I appreciated a gentle slap in the face to put me back on a humbler path and not get too tied up in the curation of my outer self.



Walk-through areas had been set up with tables of paraphernalia that created a message or image of someone with a history you wanted to hear more about. Upon touring through the masses of boxes which displayed branded labels such as 'wealth, 'happiness', 'spirituality', 'popularity' and 'exclusivity' narratives were being activated and voices told stories of how they had been affected by money, job issues and class difference. The irony was too much to ignore upon walking around and hearing some girls discussing which boxes they want in their flat; 'These boxes look nice y'know, I would want, wealth, happiness and spirituality, what about you?'  

Walk-through Installation


Walk through Installation


I was deeply drawn in to a narrative from a boy who attended a local Camden school, and talked about his observations of middle and working class people. How could he achieve the same standard of homework in a one bedroom flat with his mum and baby brother that another pupil could achieve in a house with three bedrooms and a study? What about the tutors that his friends had for their GCSE's? The cross section of classes mixing together in London schools can be wide, and yet we wonder why people who come from homes with certain privileges are the ones who are doing well.



Arlene gave an inspirational and down to earth speech, talking of her days growing up with limited money and resources and her compassion for those who live in poverty today. She talked passionately about the 'blame culture' that has been adopted so freely and her own Father's difficulties meaning he struggled to work. She quite rightly pointed out that he would have been given a more derogatory label in 2015 than he did all those years ago. 

As the night drew into the performances, we were treated to money themed dances by Tommy Franzen, who was joined by ZooNation Youth Company and Street Circus Collective. A sweet and heartwarming segment was added to the evening by the lovely ballroom and Charleston dancers, who proved that when it comes to dance, age ain't nothing but a number. Franzen leant his quirky locking and popping that was reminiscent of his Charlie Chaplin performance in 'Smile' earlier this year, whilst the younger dance members supported and packed a punch in their street sections. 





Toby Campion (Poetry Slam runner up 2015) gave us two spoken word pieces, the second one humorously written about struggles and being at the Job centre and Caleb Oluwafemi (Poetry Slam winner 2015) told us a story about his Grandfather and his philosophies on money.

Toby Campion



Caleb Oluwafemi

At the end of the evening we got an insight into the world of extreme fame through a Q&A session with a professional George Clooney lookalike! I'm not sure this was a strongest way to end the evening but it did tie in with the flow of thoughts that were already shaping up over the night.



Block9 have done an incredible job on the installation giant that stood at the back of the theatre. It provided a Hollywood-esque backdrop to the night and had that unique element that Roundhouse always does so well. I was lucky enough to be involved in a project for the Olympics in which they created an enormous 'Tree of Light' that was powered a lit up by cyclists inside the construction. It had a similar gigantic feel and I felt privileged to be in front of their work again. 



Utopia will run until Sunday 23rd August 2015 with a varied programme of events on different nights. You can find out more and book by clicking the link below.