From pleasingly weird to borderline strange via full-blown quirky is the route Marisa Von Stockert has taken with her dance-theatre creations.
The German choreographer takes an off-kilter approach to story telling, with unexpected props, zany video, and unpredictable choreography, giving nicely whimsical results.
Marjorie's World Unhinged intertwines the hopes and dreams of six eccentrics: two ageing ballet teachers, two ballet students, Eric, a temperamental pianist who works in a balloon factory, and his son, who wears his mother's clothes. All dream of escape or fulfilment, and while none gets it, there is an almost surreal resignation to their struggle.
Some sections are cleverly done, such as when one of the ballet students looks at herself in a make-up mirror fitted with a mini camera that relays her image live, showing us what she sees. The film switches to the old ballet teacher at the end, giving us the mirror in the attic, as it were.
The costumes and props don't redeem large chunks of the show that feel laboured and disconnected, nor the overly spiteful section when the old and young ballerinas bitch at each other. Marjorie's World brims with ideas, but some feel a quirk too far.
Tonight only (0871 663 2500).
Maresa Von Stockert & Tilted Productions: Marjorie's World Unhinged
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
The South Bank Centre,Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
