Review: Double Murder (Harbourfront Centre / Hofesh Dance Company)

The brilliantly cinematic, charismatic and clever choreographer, Hofesh Shechter, is back in Toronto with a double bill, Double Murder. Produced by the Hofesh Dance Company and presented by Harbourfront Centre, the two works unleash a whirlwind of emotions. The first work, Clowns, brings a dark and violent humour, while The Fix brings a gentle warm hug.

Welcoming you to the space is a flood of haze, reaching past the lobby doors of the Fleck Dance Theatre. A dancer leads the audience in a ‘hip hip hooray’ chant, getting the energy as high as possible before leading the audience through an incredibly absurd and jesting journey that only Shechter can.

Clowns is meant to show our ever-growing indifference to watching violence in movies, tv shows and really any variety of contemporary entertainment. In the work, dancers are transformed into clowns (jester/mime clowns more so than white-faced clowns) and perform gorgeous and playful contemporary movement with flashes of mimed deaths of all kinds peppered throughout. Through gunshots, stabbings and even a moment with an electric chair, mimed deaths are somehow incredibly natural, as the dancers seamlessly murder or perish before joining back into the movement sections while keeping a clown’s joyous energy.

A contagious bounce underlies all of the choreography, which has so many added layers of movement and structure that it is hard to not be entertained. The highly physical movement is sprinkled with pauses with just a second to reflect on what you are seeing before being thrown back into the alluring work.

Following a boisterous standing ovation, one rarely seen after the first act, Shechter surprisingly continues the show with the ultimate coda and curtain call. A final kiss and kill between cast members. Every last detail is considered in this work. I could have watched Clowns, with its brilliant cast of dancers, for hours on end.

Following intermission is a new work titled The Fix. Through the post-show chat, I learned that this piece used to be called The Antidote, which I find to be a more apt title. The energy greatly shifts as dancers lose their clown costumes for colourful street clothes. Showing a more gentle energy through the work in contrast to more aggressive moments scattered throughout, Shechter shows a sort of self-care that we all need. The work focuses on human touch, connection and at times, meditation. The movement continues to have its beautiful undulating bounce with added waves through the body and choreography.

The dancers are focused on each other, rather than performing outward like in the last work. This focus shifts at the end, as I and many audience members receive a hug from a performer as they walk through the audience offering the same gentle care that they did to each other onstage. A perfect compliment to Clowns and shift in mood to end the night.

To top it all off, Shechter also composed the music for both pieces, which perfectly encapsulates the movement and design. Shechter is a true artistic genius and one of a kind for our generation. His incredibly cinematic design of stark lighting choices, haze and detail down to the smallest decision is something I think everyone should see. It does not matter your dance background, veteran or newcomer to the arts scene, you will enjoy his imaginative and bold work. 

Check out Shecter while he is here, or anywhere on the company's vast touring schedule. I have no doubt that the company will be back again soon!

Double Murder, produced by the Hofesh Dance Company and presented by Harbourfront Centre, is playing until October 29, 2022 at the Fleck Dance Theatre (207 Queens Quay West - 3rd Floor). Tickets are between $39 and $79. Tickets are available online here.

For more information:

Harbourfrontcentre.com Facebook and Instagram: @HarbourfrontCentre, Twitter: @HarbourfrontTO

Hofesh.co.uk @hofeshco

Photo of Clowns by Todd MacDonald.

Written by Deanne Kearney
DeanneKearney.com @deannekearney