Comic Kitchen Drama (From Stroud News and Journal)

Comic Kitchen Drama

AUDIENCES at The Space are in for a visual feast this week, when contemporary dance company Attik Dance bring their new show to Stroud. Premiered at the Eden Project in Cornwall, Crouching Chef, Hidden Waiter features "some of the country's most inspiring and beautiful dancers" and a live double-bass player.

"It's dance, physical theatre and visual comedy, wrapped up in a delightful tale of culinary calamity," said Space co-ordinator Barbara Pond. The story follows the fortunes of four wildly eccentric characters: a semi-pro boxer, a young office girl, and a stressed maitre d'. Left to fend for himself in the restaurant, the maitre d' is not a happy man.

With the arrival of two beautiful guests come dark secrets, desperate longings and a figure from the past. As a power struggle develops, passions rise to boiling point and sharpened knives are drawn.

Crouching Chef, Hidden Waiter sees Attik Dance's brand of thrilling physicality mixed with intimate theatre and visual comedy.

Directed and choreographed by Lois Taylor, the work brings to the table creative design by Bill Mitchell (Kneehigh Theatre, the Young Vic, and Birmingham Repertory) and theatre direction from Mike Ashcroft (DV8, RSC, Theatre Royal, Bath and many more).

"We felt it was important to create something that would appeal to everyone, many of whom would not have experienced contemporary dance before," said choreographer Lois Taylor.

Crouching Chef, Hidden Waiter comes to The Space on Thursday, October 24 at 7.30pm. Tickets and information available from the Space.