Here you can see a clip of F.L.O.W.
Life-Art
Hanging across the fence
teasing the neighbours
the fool laughs up his sleeve
When the neighbour roars back
he starts to burst into tears
It takes him years to find a solution for this problem.
made Januari 2010
De Jong starts every performance –like a painter- with an empty white page. Out of that
empty space arises each time a different world; ethereal, earthy, sweet, wild. ‘Killing her
darlings’ day by day makes her work ultimate unpredictable. For instance: one day Neel
starts just by standing in an empty space, waiting till something –inside or out- occurs,
the next day she starts making an installation etc. etc. Both are happening in front of
the public’s eye. Mary Brennan of the Herald wrote about this process the next:
'I have no idea if the Neel de Jong show you should try to see, will be the same...
I watched.....Chances are de Jong herself doesn't know....
Neel about her work 'The lady fool'.
I will live my raw temperament in The fool. Undisturped walking into the unknown, like
the fool walks cheerful towards the void.
Look for more photo's of Edinburgh Fringe and Absolut Fringe Dublin on myspace
Neel's personal digestive tract of her experiences in Edinburgh and Dublin:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------------- ---------
Finding my way back through the thread of Ariadne Hate comes out the windows
I saw a smiling crowd and throw me of my feet
I slowly recognised the faces did I made that happen
while hanging on a cloud or shall I tab 'delete'
Review of F.L.O.W. Edinburgh:
By Mary Brennan in the Herald (****):
'Okay folks - let's hear it for the renegades, the eccentrics, the freespirited talents that cluster
under the banner of dance and physical theatre, but are really looking to make work that
transcends boundaries. Without them, the Fringe would lose some of the magical serendipity
that leaves audiences feeling - knowing - that they've witnessed something different and
special that has possibly changed their outlook forever more'.
I have no idea if the Neel de Jong show you should try to see, will be the same F.L.O.W.
(****) I watched last week at Bedlam. Chances are de Jong herself doesn't know, because
her whole being - and her whole being pours into her on-stage performance - acts as a
litmus, or a chameleon, in response to the world as she sees it at any given moment. Her
interests just now seem to focus on the small things, the simple things that can only be
appreciated if you take time to stop, stare and play. Consciously reconnecting with the
wonder you felt as a child, de Jong has an exquisite capacity for radiating just such a sense
of beguiled, beaming pleasure and amazement. Like any form of meditation - and really,
this is at the heart of what de Jong offers - it demands that you focus on what is being
said and shown. Otherwise the ragbag assortment of actions, the little paper boats and
white balloons, will arrive like bits of forgotten debris that de Jong has rummaged from
her costume (and memory's) pockets. Fabulous. Lucky. Outrageous. World. F.L.O.W.
Go with it, and you'll come out smiling - even the rain and the roadworks won't seem so
grim.
Review over F.L.O.W. in Dublin:
September 14, 2009, Art-magazine 'oh Francis'
Fringe 2 in 1 shows offer festival goers the opportunity to see unique musical and theatrical
pairings as part of the same ticket. Tonight, Smock Alley played host to a 2 in 1 show
featuring Neel de Jong, making her ABSOLUT FRINGE debut with F.L.O.W. and French
singer-songwriter perrine de morceaux performing as Essais Emission.
F.L.O.W. (Fabulous, Lucky, Outrageous World) begins with Neel de Jong seated on the
floor beneath a single soft red light bulb. de Jong is dressed as if she is in her dressing
room, having just walked off stage to a standing ovation. However, we soon learn that
our protagonist is a fading star; having shone so brightly beneath the lights of stage and
screen, she is now faced with twin demons of isolation and fear.
What is unique about de Jong’s character is that she is very aware of her demise. We are,
perhaps, her final audience and so there is no need for bravado now. Instead we witness
a human being, stripped bare, and searching for solace at the bottom of a bottle and in
the company of strangers. Yet, despite knowing that her time has passed, and warning
her audience of the pitfalls of fame, one senses throughout F.L.O.W. that de Jong’s
character is so addicted to fame that, given the choice, she would live her life the same
way again. In this performance, the audience are not only asked to take a closer look at
the true price of fame, but F.L.O.W., through powerful writing and intricate choreography,
also demands we examine the very fabric of the human psyche. You leave this beautifully
paced production wondering if it really is acceptable to place people on pedestals before
casually discarding them just because there are countless numbers of people willing to
accept that position.
Overall, this particular Fringe 2 in 1 represented not just excellent value for money but
also showed that, with a little creative curation, it is possible to combine two seemingly
disparate performances in a distinctive and enjoyable way.
Photo made during Dublin Fringe '09
MORE INFO:
with support from:DKC International Rotterdam
With special thanks to:
- Ardito Theatre Photography: www.ardito.nl
- Festivalpreviews.com: www.festivalpreviews.com
- Azalia Khadjé: costume advise
Choreography, dance, decor, costume: Neel de Jong
Piano: Augusto Pirodda
Public Relations, website, flyers, logistics: Kim Terbrack
Personal assistant, lightplan, film: Marja van Draanen
2nd Personal assistant: Jaqueline Kraakman
PLAYLIST:
Playlist F.L.O.W. 2009:
Already performed:
- Den Haag, February 7, 28 March
- Den Haag, March 1, Neel as a singer in underground music-
wclub
- Pulse festival Ipswich 5th of June
- ! Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Bedlam Theatre,
in hSun. 9th till Sat. 29th of August
- ! Dublin Fringe Festival 13th-16th September, Absolut Fringe
f factory at Smock Alley, Exchange Alley Lower Street, Dublin 2
221.00 h (Sun.), 20.00 h (other days).
Double bill with Perrine
een Morceaux
TIPS:
- Take a look at the myspace-site
LINKS:
www.edfringe.com
www.bedlam-fringe.co.uk
www.festivalpreviews.com
www.fringefest.com
www.ardito.nl
www.dkcrotterdam.nl
