Piña Bausch's 1980

I went to see 1980 by Pina Bausch last night (14/2/2014) at the Sadlers Wells. I rushed to get there on time and having really looked forward to going, I actually felt super tired when I finally made it there.

All day I sat in pretty much one position, hunched back (!) on the sofa, thinking "I'll finish this in about an hour..then I'll eat and..". It did not turn out that way. I had an article to write and it took a lot longer than I had planned. So I ended up leaving very late and rushing out, almost falling asleep on the tube ( and later in the theatre).

Anyway. Maybe due to my tired state, I was disappointed with the content. I wanted to see more movement, dance. I sat there, in seat N1, with a £7 (shameful) house red in a plastic glass, not enjoying the wine, feeling restless about the performance - disapponuted that I was not as immersed as I wanted to be. Having said that, there were moments. I felt an acute longing for my family, for belonging. Some of the content really moved me, touched on topics I have swept under the carpet. As people do. When life is too busy with things for work, for others, for obligations. I realised 'life is too short' and I should do something more than daydream and my occasional input. There were moments dealing with, between the lines, very important and often neglected topics in today's busy lives. Things like childhood memories, loneliness, feeling obliged or forced to perform, be in competion be egotistical. 

I did think that set if scenes worked simply and besutyfully. It touch a nerve and I had to hold back the tears. 

I loved the hazy after effects, those lingering images and flashes that stay with you after the performance. The dresses, salmon pink, ruby red, yellow, brown and silver satin. Open backs, interesting dresses/gowns, long arms (that I was waiting for to see actually DANCE!!).. I wanted more movement and as soon as I thought 'oh finally, here comes the dance bit'. Nope. Nope. Nope. 

Pina Bausch had a string mind on the outside but I believe she felt more than she let out.,if course we know this from the work she produced, but I mean, why do not everybody feel, react and respond more like that?! And why do I feel I can't react like 'that' because 'it's not the norm'. 

That part was good. More of that and I world have been much happier.