See-Saw @ Dance Base

See-saw is gentle, unpatronising fun based around the idea of the see-saw of action and response. The set-up is very different to the conventional stage: the audience sits on a row of cushions running along the middle of the floor, while the dancers perform on either side, at the ends, or even among the audience. Go prepared for the high interaction, with performers intent on creating participation - moving very close, gazing at faces, imitating postures, and playing clapping and touching games.

In this show, looking is important – for the performers to follow each other and to involve the audience. If the expressions are not intimidating, they are serious – capturing the concentration of young children, for whom play is a serious matter.

The reaction of children is guaranteed to be unpredictable, with toddlers oscillating between enthralled and bored, and self-conscious older children not always sure what to make of it. There’s great fun for extroverts (or maybe introverts looking to be drawn out). But the show absolutely scores for parents watching their children’s reactions, and for parents to enjoy the routines, that – though never childish – capture the childlike enjoyment of movement and physical interaction with others.