DV8

DV8 are arguably one of the main practitioners of physical theatre in a ‘full’ theatrical, art form. Formed in 1986, DV8 are a British theatre company who wish to address modern issues and human relationships through movement. They believe in unlocking the dramatic potential that is hidden in movement. Led by Lloyd Newson, DV8 originally formed by an independent group of dancers who had become annoyed with the preconceptions that tie along with most forms of dance. They believed that the direction of dance was not progressing successfully to accommodate modern issues. Because of this belief, this collective of dancers searched for a better mode to portray the emotion and passion rife in dance whilst communicating ground-breaking ideas and politics. Since then, Newson has won 55 national and international awards for his film and stage work. Across their 18 stage productions, DV8 has toured internationally across 86 cities in 34 countries.

Examples:

To be straight with you:          
 Based entirely of verbatim from 85 interviews, ‘To be straight with you’ is a dynamic piece of theatre that focuses on many of the unsaid issues that tie in with being gay in a modern Britain. ‘To be straight with you’ is a particularly innovative and ground-breaking play as it not only focuses on many of the largely growing issues in our society, but it does such a thing in a new, innovative way- through verbatim. Verbatim means something that is presented in exactly the same words as they were used originally. DV8 cleverly uses verbatim to hugely enhance their performance in many ways. For example: this particular use of verbatim fully informs the general public how many other citizens are being treated daily. It opens their eyes to the reality that they have chosen to ignore in the past. 

Furthermore, it allows the audience to believe the play fully, as it is all said by people in their communities and areas.

The play draws from the fact that homosexuality is still criminalised in 85 countries, and that, in seven of these countries, the death penalty still exists for consensual sexual acts between two adults of the same gender. However, the most shocking part of the play is the fact that many of the stories originate from a secular Britain.

 “DV8…have always been well ahead of the game. Now, just at a point when others are catching up, Newson reinvents the rules with this. To Be Straight With You is a hard hitting and passionate 80 minutes that expresses what is often left unsaid…you will not be able to resist this brave, life-affirming show.” The Guardian

Can we talk about this?

Premiering in August 2011, ‘Can we talk about this’ deals with many important, yet unspoken, topics. It focuses on freedom of speech, censorship and Islam. Lloyd Newson is clear in his intentions for the piece of theatre: to suggest that the multicultural policies in Britain today have inadvertently encouraged and bred separatism and that people are worried about questioning and openly criticising militant Islam. 

Focusing on many true stories, the group has produced a visually stimulating performance which is informative without censorship. After ‘To be straight with you’ received such positive feedback, Newson has continued in the usage of verbatim to cleverly inform the audience. Similarly to their previous play, ‘Can we talk about this’ cleverly combines stunning visual pieces with dialect to portray meaningful stories.

The show begins in 1985 and portrays a timeline of Islam’s low-points up until a modern day world. It uses the verbatim interviews not only to show how other religions feel censorship towards Islamic conversations, but how Muslims themselves feel censored about particular issues.

"A brilliant piece of theatre. In tackling the subject of multiculturalism, it crosses the boundaries of dance, documentary drama and sound. It sits somewhere in its own space... a rare experience…..extraordinary"

The Sydney Morning Herald