Natasha mentioned early on in this process that she wanted the Greek chorus to be modeled after Japanese butoh. So... what the hell is butoh?
First off, butoh is a collective term for a diverse range activities. That being said, it is most commonly identified as a contemporary Japanese dance form. It combines dance, theater, improvisation and influences of Japanese traditional performing arts with German Expressionist dance (Neue Tanz) and performance art to create a unique performance art form. Butoh is controversial because it often deals with grotesque imagery, taboo topics, and extreme and absurd environments. Traditionally, it's performed in white body make-up and with slow hyper-controlled motion, with or without an audience. There is no set style, and it may be purely conceptual with no movement at all.
After talking with Taylor, our choreographer, she expressed veering away from butoh as grotesque or disgusting, and instead will be melding butoh into Oedipus as a means of fate. What she described almost sounded like puppetry. Taylor described watching the movements of butoh as if the dancers were being motivated and manipulated by something outside their own bodies. It fits so perfectly into the story of Oedipus because the butoh chorus will be able to visually demonstrate what it looks like to be lead by your own fate, possibly even against your will. This fascinated me!! This is going to be so unique; I'm looking forward to rehearsals!
Pictures to follow.
