We Think Not – Karl Jay-Lewin & Anushiye Yarnell @ Dancebase

Review by Stephanie Green | 09 Aug 2012

What is the sound of one hand clapping ?

This is the kind of Zen koan that came to mind watching We Think Not. These are two different works of great interiority. I felt like I was watching a monk or nun meditating. So much happening on the inside, so little visible on the surface. This created a disconnect, like autistics repeating ritualistic but largely incomprehensible movements with intense concentration.

Karl had a wistful expression, occasionally muttering to himself. A suitcase suggested a journey and thank God for his plastic pale blue and white winkle-picker shoes, which gave me a clue that we were allowed to laugh. His performance was reminiscent of East European surrealism or Jacques Tati, or the soulful eyes of Buster Keaton.

Yarnell's act is upstaged by the appearance of her 7 month old baby, who plays, delighting in rolling on her mother, or grabbing a swinging bell.

So where does that leave the audience? Some are exasperated. On the day I was there, the majority were smiling, if somewhat bemusedly. Or perhaps you will be intrigued to find out more about Deborah Hay's 'Practice' which informs these works but also is a way of life.

Dance Base, 14-16, Grassmarket, EH1 2JU Fri 3rd-Sun 12 Aug (not Mon 6) at 1.30pm All tickets £10 (£8) Running time 50 mins. Box Office: 0131 225 5525 http://www.dancebase.co.uk