If you’re new to contemporary dance, then Political Mother: The Choreographer’s Cut is the perfect place to start. Lucy Moelwyn Hughes, the Participation Producer for choreographer Hofesh Schecter, pulls out a few little moments to look out for if you decide to dive head first into this rock gig-meets-dance-show at the O2 Academy Brixton.

If you’ve never seen Hofesh Shechter’s Political Mother before, you are in for a treat. If you’ve never seen Political Mother: The Choreographer’s Cut before….then ladies & gents, boys & girls, fasten your seatbelts and head to Brixton this October! You are in for quite a ride…

When Hofesh originally made Political Mother in 2010 at the Brighton Dome, I was regularly in the studio making notes and asking questions (writing the resource pack for teachers & students). I remember being so surprised to see that despite the heavy themes in the work (oppression, unrest etc) the working atmosphere in the studio was funny, light hearted and warm. I particularly remember Hofesh’s Homer Simpson impression during production week. He’s a funny guy! Perhaps not quite what you would expect….

Maybe you’re new to contemporary dance? I’m not sure about that label actually – it meant something 30 years ago but I think it’s a bit of an obsolete term these days. We all dance in different ways, as children in our bedrooms, as adults at parties, even just tapping along to a song. We watch it on TV and in films.  It’s everywhere. That aside, if you’re new to this ‘contemporary dance’ world, then here are a few things to look out for in the show. (Don’t worry, I won’t ruin it for you – no spoiler alerts required)
Firstly, the moment quite early on in the musical prologue when <something> happens and your stomach flips and drops and the crowd roar. You’ll know it when it comes…. Enjoy that!

Then there is the gradual revealing of the space…and realising how many people inhabit this strange world.  



Later on there is a quiet and touching moment - a short solo - when a dancer unravels physically and emotionally. You’ll want to run up on to stage and tell him he’s going to be ok. Of this moment Hofesh says “That’s him losing his identity, just right there in front of you...”

Look out for the mosh pit at the front of the stage. It’s life affirming to see young people ROCKING OUT at the front of the stage and having such a real and visceral experience. (It’s a shame my moshing days are in the past but I still get such a kick out of seeing this at one of our shows….)

I once asked one of our company dancers, Fred Despierre, what his best moment on stage had been. He said “Easy. Any performance of Political Mother: The Choreographer's Cut because that piece just makes me feel like a rock star.”

So come to Brixton this autumn and see our show, full of rock star dancers and musicians! Maybe I’ll see you in the mosh pit….

Political Mother: The Choreographer’s Cut
Wed 7 & Thu 8 Oct 2015
Doors 19.00
O2 Academy Brixton
211 Stockwell Road
London SW9 9SL
Info and tickets: hofesh.co.uk