Gabi Router performance

On the 19th January, Gabi Router performed a solo piece in the Ellen Terry building. Here are a few things I witnessed, noticed, and enjoyed about the performance.

• Started with Gabi asking the audience to warm up- we were asked to stand up and take a few deep breaths, and just do a little moving on the spot, to wake up the body and the brain.
• Use of speech throughout. She started up close to the audience at the beginning. Different subjects were being explored and questioned, such as.. judgement, explored a dance piece, aspects of the space, imagination, humour, sound waves, props and other stage aspects, time, filling the space with words.
• She used eye contact and direct speech to the audience the majority of the time, creating an interaction with the audience, so they can be part of the piece and the explorations. 
• Use of gesture to compliment the speech and movement. Mostly no music, and speech throughout, however occasional sections of sound introduced. This gave it a more realistic feel, and it was the explorations of the artist that created the climax's, not just the music.
• Stillness and silence were used which allowed Gabi to be seen.
• Neutral lighting, with occasional lowering and brightening to compliment sections of movement.
• There was interaction with the whole of the space, talked about the whole space, and used contact with the back wall. This allows the audience to feel part of the space also, communicates the idea that the space is not just a place to perform, but part of the explorations as part of the piece. Feels grounded and creates and creates an involved and comfortable atmosphere.
• Sound paterning on the floor.