Peoples Republic of South Devon

Inhale and Hold #1

July 7th, 2008

This is the first in our series following the progress of Inhale and Hold, the endurance dance event which splashes its way from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, starting on July 10.

Four dancing men equipped with a lifeguard’s tower and miniature band attempt to perform their way across Devon, north to south, at a long list of waterside locations.

We catch up with Matthew in the midst of rehearsals.

So, I arrived yesterday, feeling like I’d only had three hours sleep (probably as that’s all I’d had) and we got straight into rehearsing until the evening. At the end of the day there was a desperate need to see the Wimbledon final so we jumped into the cars at 6pm and headed for the nearest television. I had to leave the tennis early as I’m always hungry so I missed the end, and then went back to where we’re staying for a well earned sleep.

Today I woke up (spider in my ear… interesting) at 8.45am, grabbed some breakfast, had a bath and then we headed back to Brendon village hall for a day of rehearsing and devising.

We started by recapping some lifesaving duets we’d started yesterday, inspired by pictures from an old-style swimming manual. It all needed to be very precise, detail was very important, the words ‘hands like blades’ were repeated a few times. Watch out for Jamie’s best fish-out-of-water impression when River picks him up, comedy moment. We then put the duets together, working by overlapping them and inserting some pauses to create a chunk of material to put into the piece.

We then revisited our solo material that works in swimming lanes, although we have no ropes to create them yet, so white cups are providing some sort of outline for the time being. A few repetitions of my solo and I’m exhausted, if you see me breathing heavily I’m probably not pretending.

After lunch (where the remains of my Chinese food from last night came in handy), we carried on putting the various parts together then did a bit more lifesaving in the form of a quartet, again inspired by pictures.

[flashvideo filename=http://newsandmediarepublic.org/images/stories/videos/MVI_3820.flv /]

After Hugh and Jamie left we were presented with our swimming caps… I did my best unimpressed face… haha. No, actually, they’re not THAT awful, although I do feel a bit light headed when I have mine on. I opted for the blue one, but I’ll save the image of me in a swimming cap until the day of the first performance and not post a photo of me in it.

We ended the day devising some of our own material. I was working on something using my more lyrical/fluid movement vocabulary and putting that alongside some of the strong imagery from the lifesaving and unison material.

End of the day and I’m writing this on my bed in the house we’re staying in. I’m off out to get myself some fish and chips, you’ve got to love Devon fish and chips, and then I’m going later to try on some costume.
- Matthew

• To get in touch with the dancers, email: inhale_and_hold@peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk
or just comment in the box below

Follow the action at
Thursday July 10, 12.30 pm - The Manor, Lynmouth,
Thursday July 10, 5.30 pm - Landmark Beach, Ilfracombe
Friday July 11, 1.30 pm - Grand Western Canal Country Park, Canal Basin, Tiverton
Friday July 11, 7.00 pm - Hatherleigh Community Centre (river)
Saturday July 12, 12.30 pm - Roadford Lake, Okehampton
Saturday July 12, 7.00pm - Dartington Hall (riverside)
Sunday July 13, 2.00 pm - Moretonhampstead Swimming Pool
Sunday July 13, 5.30 pm - Tinside Pool, Plymouth

For more on Inhale and Hold, read the PRSD story

• Inhale in Hold is part of Big Dance and Dance-ing Devon.

Random Posts:

• The View From Here week of film begins in Teignmouth
• Remembering Jamie McCullough
• Chief concern
• I’ll take Manhattan, please
• Give chalk a chance

 

 Flash Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (165)

Entry Filed under: Arts, technology