She loves performing, wants to be seen and heard, hates namby-pamby touchy-feely ‘processes’– thinks people should decide what they want to do onstage and then do it. She, on the other hand, prefers not to perform, likes to take control, enjoys the role of director. She wears a gunmetal silver satin evening gown and heels, dyed blonde chignon skewered with chopsticks; whilst she wears a modest forest green wool dress, opaque black tights, and sensible shoes. Meet Queens of the Night Liz Aggiss and Charlotte Vincent, whose carefully crafted duet, magnificently performed, explores what it means to ‘perform’.
‘I have something I’d like to show you... And I want you to know that I don’t like people telling me what to do,’ says Ms A, as she gallops across the stage, clompety-clomp, banging her drum. ‘Could you do a bit less,’ asks Ms V ‘How small can you make it?’
In its mathematically tight structure, use of rhythm and repetition, stark utilitarian staging (desk, chairs, blackboard) and foolish theatrical props (daggers, joke hats, toy drums), Double Vision shares territory with the work of Forced Entertainment. Immaculate timing and choreographic precision we expect (and get) from these two highly experienced dance artists. (But are they acting their age? Aha! Interesting question! Next…)
It is also, surprisingly, a clown show – the humour is knowing, at times side-splittingly funny, and the way the two women play off each other is a clear nod to the classic clowning traditions of diametrically opposed pairings (from Laurel and Hardy to Eric and Ernie). Enterprising entertainment. Bravo, ladies! Take a bow, do!