..Not your usual Arts Theatre production. This is far more experimental but just as rewarding. ...

A common thread of experimentation, danger and humour runs through the catalogue of works generated by first BET4Artists, then BET4Performance and now BET4motion continue to weave that thread into productions which combine strong live musical elements with an increased emphasis on dance and physical theatre.

POLARITIES

What happens when live vibraphone, accordion, bass, percussion and electronics hit dance and physical theatre head-on? What happens when the rational and irrational mind confront each other? You have Polarities. The performance explores the left and right side of the brain, the logical world of maths and science colliding with the intuitive and spontaneous. Expect a fusion of strange sights and sounds from the humorous to the disturbing.

Polarities integrates physical theatre, contemporary dance, and the strange musical landscape of Borderline Guerillas to produce a unique piece of theatre. The logical world epitomised by science and mathematics weaves into and out of the world of spontaneity and the surreal, and the two occasionally collide with sparks. After the performance there will be an opportunity for interested people in the audience to discuss the piece with the performers. The dancers are Sarah Duff and Simone Gilliat. Borderline Guerillas are: Graham Foster (bass/electronics); Rocco Franchelli (accordion/electronics); Corey Mwamba (vibraphone/clarinet/percussion); Unkle Peechi (turntable); and Walt Shaw (percussion). These musicians have had plenty of experience in physical theatre pieces and live art pieces, so don't expect normal delineation of roles. Surprises are guaranteed!

"Disturbing, dream-like washes of sound merged into thundering crescendos that coiled back into themselves"

The Guardian

Ever wondered what it takes to get to the top? What part does fate play? What is good luck? And what are Robert’s 3 gifts and what does he do with them? Ever wondered what happens when a musical collides with a performance art event? Or when contemporary dance meets surreal physical theatre head on? The Rise Of Robert is a unique new performance musical created and performed by the innovative East Midlands multi media arts collective BET4motion and its cast of 10 musicians, dancers and performers.

The Rise of Robert @ Arts Theatre 23/11/05

Not your usual Arts Theatre production. This is far more experimental but just as rewarding. The Rise of Robert presented by BET4motion at The Nottingham Arts Theatre was one of the most innovative shows I have seen. On entering the theatre we were greeted with a stage adorned with various musical instruments, scattered around were lots of silver metal buckets and piles of bright red hats. Not many people were in the audience and when the show began the eleven cast members slowly danced around the stage for what seemed an eternity, I began to think that this production was not for me when the tempo suddenly changed as the group began drumming on the buckets and on the floor. The syncopation of the rhythm was fantastic and from that minute I was completely absorbed. With a few words, mime, and dance we followed the life of Robert from his birth, through his childhood (this was my favourite scene as the dancers played well remembered childhood games), his growing up and meeting girls, his working life and ultimately his death. Unlike any other show I have seen, this performance held me intrigued as it was impossible to guess how the performance would unfold.

'BBC NOTTINGHAM'

To browser for more Multimedia files about Walt Shaw, got to the Multimedia Page or to www.riseofrobert.co.uk or polarities