Hofesh Shechter Company return to Manchester to present barbarians: A Trilogy by Hofesh Shechter. We caught up with dancer Merel Lammers during rehearsals to find out more about working with Hofesh.
How did you become a professional dancer and how long have you been performing with the company?
When I was in the last years of high school I had to go to museums, see theatre plays and dance shows to analyse the arts and so it randomly happened that I went to see a dance show by Conny Janssen Danst. The show was called Rebound and it completely thrilled me. I loved it and I got this crazy and naive idea in my head that I wanted to become a professional dancer. So at the age of 17 I auditioned for a foundation dance course in Amsterdam in the hope I could be one day part of Conny Janssen Danst. I’ve been with Hofesh Shechter Company since September 2012.
How would you describe Hofesh Shechter’s style?
Instinctive, animalistic, human, wired to the heart, very physical, carried by sensations.
barbarians consists of three distinct pieces, how does that affect the way you perform?
It depends on the evening and how many pieces you’re performing. Originally there was one cast for each of the three pieces, but sometimes we tour with a smaller cast and that means we have to perform in two pieces. In my case I dance in barbarians in love and tHE bAD. I was originally cast for barbarians in love, which means I was one of the six dancers Hofesh worked with to create the piece, and if I dance only barbarians in love, I can focus very clearly on that one thing. barbarians in love requires a lot of concentration and imagery, getting into a specific character, which is mentally quite demanding. But if I have to dance both barbarians in love, followed by tHE bAD, I have to divide my energy accordingly. tHE bAD is also demanding mentally, but in a way that you want to feel free – anything goes in that piece. If I perform both, I personally like the fact that first I dance barbarians in love, it helps me to be focused and to get from A to B efficiently. Then after that I’m already quite tired, ‘warmed-up’ and into the show; which helps me to let go of my mind, to get that sense of freedom you need for tHE bAD.
And following on from that, does it affect the way you prepare for the show?
I always have the same routine to get ready for a show, arnica-oil, rolling on a baseball, then I put on some music on my headphones, isolate myself for a moment. It helps me to do some breathing – and physical exercises that connect me, my concentration and my mind-set with my body in a simple way.
The show is known for its experimental score, featuring dubstep and baroque. Do you find certain musical styles easier to dance to than others?
I believe we have, as human beings, a certain general reaction to different music, and we can choose within a choreography to go against or to go with the flow of the music. In general, to dance rhythmically and groovy on dubstep is easier than to dance groovy on classical music. I love baroque music, and it’s more natural to want to dance more soft and fluent on these rhythms – therefore baroque music doesn’t really invite me to go 100% mad, physically. For example, the baroque musical scores in barbarians in love do not really assist the effort of the wild movements, you really have to do it yourself – whereas the groove and beats in tHE bAD help and motivate you to go to full out and demand you to feel connected with what you’re doing.
What advice would you give to someone looking to begin a career in dance?
First of all, be passionate about what you do (I think that’s obvious!). And the second thing is, I think it’s very important to train the ability within yourself to (no matter how successful you become) stay humble, teachable, open and eager to understand a deeper layer to movements than just the form.
What career would you choose if you weren’t a dancer?
I like interior design, but I also like psychology and physiotherapy. When the time comes I will make up my mind.
barbarians: A Trilogy by Hofesh Shechter runs from Thu 28 – Sat 30 Jan 2016. Find out more and book tickets here.