Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is Angry

Okay, so my title is a little misleading.

But during Chrissie Poulter’s great post-show talk with him last night, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui did describe Apocrifu as a show where he is angry…with books. And, as Chrissie drew out Sidi’s ideas on oral and literary traditions, the relativity of perspectives and the multicultural terrain that every individual must negotiate, there was little with which to disagree.

A whole range of other topics were also touched on – the issue of manipulation (whether of oneself or others); the evasion of responsibility; the projection and rejection of roles; the shifting archetypal energies embodied in performance. Any of these would easily exceed the time allowed for last night’s talk – so kudos to Chrissie for covering so much ground. Not bad questions either…particularly Rough Magic’s Tom Creed who, I’m sorry, is the human equivalent of a precision guided missile when it comes to uncovering the creative process behind any production.

But in the end, what Apocrifu (and last night’s post-show with Sidi) most got me thinking of was Plato, who suggests letters don’t give the truth…but only the semblance of truth. People dependent on the written word, he says, though appearing to know it all, generally know nothing. Oh, and they’ll be tiresome company, having the show of wisdom without the reality.

Admit it. We’ve all met one.

Of course, I suppose if I really wanted to set a cat amongst the pigeons I might ask if you’ve ever met anyone in the Irish dance scene who fits that description? And if you have…do feel free to bare your soul to me at Amour Acide et Noix, tonight in Project.

And hey, trust me. It’ll be held in the strictest confidence.