Compagnie Malabar
- Voyage des Aquareves
(Voyage of the Aquadreams)
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Saturday
21st July 2007, Basildon Town Centre, Essex. UK |
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A Spooky, Surreal Street Performance that
would equal nothing i have ever seen before. This event was truly amasing,
if only you were there. If you did see it you will understand why i think
it was so spectacular. |
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| The Ship of dreams starts its' musical journey outside the
Towngate Theatre, a very hypnotic fusion of ambient/opera/drum n bass, complimented
by a troup of stilt walkers, and white faced musicians who warmed the crowd
up before they set sail.. The town was as packed as i had never seen before. |
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A Flautist, a guitarist and a keyboard
player and the operatic style singer on the other end of the ship and
the stilt walking insect-like creatures |
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The voyage passed from the Towngate through
the arch at M&S, where it had to lower the mast bring their 'moon'
down to earth and manouvre carefully whilst playing on regardless. A truly
professional professional show from beginning to end. |
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The three insect stilt-walkers, who teased
and cajoled the onlookers and kept everyone entranced with their agility,
skill and control. The character on the right had pogo sticks attached
to his legs and bounced around maniacly throughout the performance. |
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The music from the ship and the high jinx
from the insect creatures grooved along nicely, through Town Square, down
East Walk and came to a halt by Toys R Us. The ships navigator had again
to use his skills to turn the ship about 360 deg. then stopped to give
us an excellent acrobatic performance, coreographed to the non-stop musical
score. |
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Once this spectactular performance was
over, the stilt walkers courted the audience. One little girl had her
headband pom-poms taken by one of the bugs, who put it on his own head
and laughed with the little girl and the crowd around her, before returning
them to her to make ready for the return journey to Town Square where
the final performance was played out. |
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The finale to the acrobatic performance as you can
see, was a flurry of paper petals and more mind boggling stunts. |
The spiky hedgehog-like creature bounced along, chasing children in a
macabre display of gnashing teeth, flailing arms and wild eyes. The four
legged bug swooped into the faces of unsuspecting revellers as the voyage
headed back.. |
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The ship continued on its' way, this time
the players lit flares and illuminated the ship creating an electrifying
display of sparks and smoke whilst the music played on. |
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With lighting, and even more lively music
the finale began. The stilt walkers juggled, scaled poles, made pentagram
shapes with shiny metal poles and they skipped with light ropes. |
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I was coaxed along
by the four legged creature, who had kept in contact with me throughout
the journey, "Go in, go in, go in" he repeated as he gently
pushed me through the crowds, into the central performance area. When
i stopped, i found myself knee deep in froth!
And that's when the
fun REALLY started.......
The Sea of Foam was
poured onto the Town Square and the music became even more rythmic and
tribal. The music played out ever more dubby, whilst many danced and thrilled
to the whole experience. |
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It wasn't too long before i was spotted
by young Shane Wills, who decided it was a great idea to play foam fights.....
not wanting to dissappoint, i duly joined in and had a wail of a time,
playing in the foam along with the other revellers. I haven't had so much
fun and culture in the same instant. |
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Truly a night to remember into old age! Thanks, Compagnie Malabar!!
For a wonderful, mind-blowing experience.
I hope you like the photos. I took over a 100 pictures on the night
and a small selection are featured here. I hope everybody enjoyed the
entertainment as much as i did.
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| Here are a few extra shots in close-up
of the Compagnie Malabar.If you want to know more, take a trip to their
website, where you can find the music available for download, video of
previous shows and their tour schedule, in case you fancy a trip around
Europe to see them again..
Malabar site: http://www.ciemalabar.com/anglais/site1024Ang.htm
click to go there. |
And finally....... one for the family album. The Helmsman, the lady acrobat,
my Bro. James, his wife Mary and young Sydney Ann. |
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If
you liked my photographs, please visit my guestbook and let me know. Thanks.
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For more information on this and other Cultural Events
in Essex and London follow the links belowccc
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