A review of three dance performances from this year’s HIjinx Unity Festival in Cardiff – a celebration of the best inclusive and disability from around the world

Bill and Bobby – Stopgap (UK)

I have heard so many people say that Stopgap are are so good and professional.

This show is set in a 1920’s old fashion bathroom in a bath tub. Bill and Bobby have had far too much to drink and are so jolly. They start to dance inside and outside as if they were in a show. The music is from the 1920s but with a modern twist. There were bits of comedy such as when Bill pats Bobby’s legs apart to get her to dance away. When they played “Good morning Good morning” from Singing in the Rain it made me feel mellow and reminded me of memories of good times.

What l liked in the show:

• The simplicity and miming to records in each part of the show.
• Colourful, lovely, well suited costume styles.

Borderlines – Panaibra Gabriel Canda/Culturarte (Mozambique)

The scenes of what they seen through their eyes each and every day in Africa for years hasn’t changed. There was lots of emotional breakdown, cruel torture and being spat at which l wouldn’t like to happen to me.

There was a simple, effective and strong image as they moved very slowly across the stage, clutching and climbing over each other in a fine detail.

The strong emotions they acted were real, touching, natural and never overdone and felt what it’s like to be in a real distress.

The acting was really such good quality. They are better than Hollywood stars who get paid lots of money.

Swallow Song  – Theater Stal and Krokusfestival (Belgium)

What l think of the story is about?

They are stranded on a beach and it’s definitely had a strong feeling that they were stranded in real time. Two guys started to bond together as friends over a shared bottle of water. One of the guys has Downs Syndromes but the other treats him as he would any friend.

The good points are:

I liked the humour which is cheeky and funny such as when they were looking at a map of where to go. One of them started scribbling over it when his friend wasn’t looking at it. There’s another scene with his friend asleep and he had a secret bite of a sandwich.

The show maintained my focus and I still remember it in my visual brain.

l was tiny bit confused at the end which wasn’t clear and asked myself whether the journey was over.

I really enjoyed the good different varieties of the shows. The whole evening was much better than l expected. I should see more dance shows and it’s open my eyes more. It was nice to go to lovely Cardiff in Wales again especially the Millennium Centre. I hope to see all again.

Sarah Watson