We’ve all grown accustomed to the goal celebrations of footballing legends of both past and present. From buoyant backflips, to jovial choreographed routines, nations rise as team players affirm footballing status. As youngsters, footballing ranks as one of the most aspirational professions to pursue; a chance to showcase to the world how talented you are as a sports personality. Prized and celebrated both nationally and world wide, there’s no disputing the power of football.
Presented as part of the LIFT festival 2014, Belarus Free Theatre return after a successful run with their show Trash Cuisine and with them bring the thought-provoking ‘Red Forest’. Focusing on the issue of man-made destruction, the production follows protagonist Aisha as she travels the world in the search of safety for herself and her daughter.
Part of LIFT 2014 at the Artsdepot Centre, Super Premium Soft Double Vanilla Rich promised to be an exploration of Japanese Consumerism through humour and dreamlike movement. Set in a Japanese convenience store, we meet the workers and Branch Manager and are given an insight into the working environment they have to contend with. However, whether or not this explored Japanese Consumerism is questionable.
Today marks the beginning of one of the most talked about sporting competitions of the last 4 years. As the world gears itself for a summer of heartbreak, triumph and union, it’s fair to say to say that the next month will shape up to be quite an interesting one. Located in the heart and soul of one of the most celebrated footballing nations in the world, Brazil will welcome the world’s media to revel in the pitch side dramas of the tournament, but whilst the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are admired the world over, it may become very easy to forget about the important issues such as homelessness, and the millions of young people that face this as a reality…
“I don’t want to have to think about race.” Young Jean Lee says about her latest production, ‘The Shipment’, which is being performed for the first time in the UK as part of London’s LIFT festival, opened to a predominantly white, middle aged, upper middle class audience.
A shy hero. Grizzled older hero that is far more important than he initially seems. Schoolgirls in uncomfortable-to-watch attires. Cyclical storytelling. Your Mother. Pyramid head. A plot that defies expectation and ends comfortably unsatisfyingly. Prophecy. The good people at Fuel Theatre have just staged a japanese video game, but that description by no means does The Roof justice.
Sadler’s Wells welcomes Bruno Beltrão and Grupo de Rua with their show Crackz, part of this year’s LIFT festival that aims to gather globally unique artistic experiences in London. Crackz definitely fits in this category of unique experiences. What was created on stage can classify as a new genre for this Brazilian dance group, who specialise in combining hip-hop and breakdance with influences of many other styles such as capoeira, martial arts and contemporary dance.
