Sans Mots @ C Aquila

Feature by Daph Karoulla | 26 Aug 2011

Using the comedy skill of Charlie Chaplin and Roberto Benigni, Matteo Cionini brings Sans Mots to Edinburgh. Like A World without Words, he proves that we do not really need words to communicate across a feeling or a thought.

Cionini mixes in pure mime with music, sound effects and various props to produce a one man show brimming with laughter. From miming his daily routine of reading a newspaper to conducting an orchestra, he retains his quirky, cartoon-like persona throughout. Exploiting audience interaction to the full, he is like a child begging for - nay, demanding - applause.

Although he is a mime, when he mimes to music, it could be called dance. This is where physical theatre meets dance and comedy. As miming does, it employs movement and thus it is an art form employed by dancers - if we assume that the lack of music to accompany movement is miming.

In the urban dance world, there is a style known as P.A.B.E. which stands for Popping, Animation, Boogaloo, Effect. This style is very comical in its nature, and usually involves telling a story; an example of this is found in the work of Salah, winner of Incroyable Talent in 2006. 

Admittedly, there is no boogaloo to be found here; however, Cionini's use of animation - in terms of acting and sound effects - and the way he chooses to move borrows a few elements from the style.

Where does dance end and miming begin? No words can describe that line.

Until 29 Aug, 13.25

C Aquila

http://www.sans-mots.com/