Sexual-kaleidoscope choreography at Shanghai Dance Festival

In its second year, the first independent dance festival in China brings lust, desire, sensuality and sexuality to the stage. The Shanghai Dance Festival initiated by Jin Xing exhibits works of dance companies from China, Denmark, Israel, Sweden and Switzerland.

It’s the show we saw from Switzerland, closing Wednesday night (tonight), by the Dutch actor and choreographer Arthur Kuggeleyn that got us hot under the collar. His composition, “Master of Complications” is a bold exploration of society and sex. The show confronts the audience, literally, to decide for itself where boundaries lie between voyeurism, desire, lust, control and restraint. The passive-active portrayal of sexual relationships is cleverly mirrored by the choreographic interaction of dancers and audience.

Kuggeleyn's style uses pulsating rhythms of ritualized movement acoustics and visuals. He calls it "trance dance", a form that oozes sexual energy and builds in a long crescendo. The climax is tomorrow night.

Venue: Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center – Drama Salon. September 24//25//26, 19:30. Tickets: 260 RMB. 288 Anfu Lu near Wukang Lu. Ticket info tel: 6327 0578

Photo by Luca Pedrotti.