Reviewed by Paula Citron
EXpose
Co. ERASGA/Complot
Global Dance Connections Series
Choreographed and performed by Alvin Erasga Tolentino and Martin Inthamoussú
Scotiabank Dance Centre
Apr. 14 to 16, 2011
I’m currently on a western review swing, and it’s nice to talk about a success.
The twinning of Vancouver’s Alvin Erasga Tolentino and Uruguay’s Martin Inthamoussú is a match made in heaven. Their delightful work EXpose is a coming out celebration of both homosexuality and gender politics.
The choreography itself is filled with sexual images. The two men initially perform as individuals, and both choreographies, while very different, convey urges and longings. The latter part of the piece has the two men coming together. They embrace and they fight. They are in competition and they are supportive.
The finale is absolutely stunning, as the dancers ritually dress themselves in formal male attire – suits and ties – and then put on their bright red stilettos. The message is that it is perfectly acceptable for men to show their feminine side.
EXpose is witty, poignant, and at times, LOL funny.
The piece is being shown in Uruguay and Germany in the fall. Let’s hope EXpose also crosses Canada.