The mood at Chapter Arts Centre was an uncertain one, where The Revenge Of Popperface – a dance work from Gareth Chambers – was listed in the wrong venue and began 15 minutes late. Reading the blather of contextualisation in the notes, one expected something spectacular with this sort of dense billing. Such was not the case.

Two idle male dancers loom over plastic sheeting as we the audience sit in discomfort on the floor (no seats in sight, though we were encouraged to walk about, which no one did). The choice of over-saturated smoke left me wheezing in its intensity, betraying little consideration for those with asthma. The dancers express martial arts and boxing moves, maintaining a sense of masculine action, as they gradually get to know one another both nude and curious.

Rituals arrive, with blood spouting over one another. Fussy lighting uses little of the fine features of this space. Perhaps the most outrageous moment comes with an apparent intermission, during which the dancers vape and drink cans of Monster. Mock Biblical declarations traverse the screen as all this goes on. Popperface – who had of course died – is resurrected, emerging from the garbage. Never one to miss a chance to strip, Chambers returns in a Christlike posture, as the screen informs us that Popperface will return next year.

The Revenge Of Popperface would have been fine for, perhaps, one part of a larger evening of dance, but in no way had the feel of a full piece. I feel almost deceived: the superficiality of the work having no ironic value, its deadly serious nature remaining its downfall. Granted, some supremely theatrical imagery came in towards the end, yet it was the journey there which floundered. The twitchy, flinching moves of both dancers, first in suits and then naked, were partially noteworthy: these sort of toned, muscular male bodies are a common ‘type’ in the gay community, worshipped by most. It would have been rude not to admire them for this, though this added to the vain nature of the beast.   

What on earth follows next year remains to be seen.             

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Thurs 22 Sept

words JAMES ELLIS