Review: CAN THIS PLACE BE A TEMPLE? AKSHAY SHARMA, The Place

Everyone loves a thinker, and Akshay Sharma definitely seems to be one. He presented his rigorous, 2023 solo Can This Place be a Temple? at The Place on 3 October for one night only.

The work saw him contemplate “refuge, safety, race, gender, migration and nature by weaving together dance, text and music” - pretty sure he’s covered everything there! And actually there's more…as he also sang for his supper!

Sharma's "developing a form of lyrical composition for movement where he applies the structures and approach of Indian classical music." And how does it translate in reality?

Overall the work was worthwhile, but felt at the beginning of its fruition…which is a good thing in my book with lots to discover and develop.

The piece opened with some storytelling and philosophising, and both return throughout. Nothing felt profound, nor offensive. We learnt of an individual who lives on the mountain and must cross the forest to reach the temple, who is meant to have three wives but would prefer three husbands: ooh matron!

Sharma also mused over the beauty of his own hands, the unfortunate positioning of the moon, and the meaning of zero and infinity. Make of it what you will.

When he sang it was mesmerising. Often starting with a more internal, exploration of the voice, and (sometimes) developing to a projected level of performance. All the while he moved and articulated his upper body and arms. It verged on music visualisation; a physicalisation of his song; being both conductor and soloist simultaneously.

The general movement language was also of interest. It was primarily focused in the upper body, and midway through, both the piece and I were craving more complex travelling phrases, a development of the leg work and added presence of jump.

Sharma moved well though. He has a decisive drop quality and all of his physicality is executed with care. This evoked an attractive blend of softness, impact, precision and fluid use of level.

A big nod to Ryan Stafford's lighting, as the piece oozes atmosphere throughout. Barely there red hues saw Sharma almost disappearing into the depths of the space, and soft orange illumination with dry ice that seemed to hang more than usual, was the perfect backdrop for Sharma to serenade the audience once more with his mystical singing.

The high points were good, but they don't detract from what the piece lacks. It needs a rethink concerning overall structure and editing. Things didn't build in an obvious way; no one's asking for Las Vegas style fireworks, but the current set-up communicated one dimensionality, which soon led to monotony, and I'll leave it there.

Sharma absolutely deserves the current platform he has, and I look forward to seeing where he takes his evidently researched and cathartic work next.

Can This Place be a Temple? was at The Place 3 October

Photo Credit: Brian Slater

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