With original music by Leo Delibes and re-imagined by Aaron Clingham, William Spencer who conceived, directed and choreographed Boy Toy certainly proved that he has a fabulous and very creative imagination.
Taking the story of Coppélia – that of a mechanical doll who is so lifelike she can convince people she is alive – and replacing it with a male mannequin and dressing him up as a stud, a gay man complete with fitted black leather shorts that emphasise his crotch area, wearing a harness and a tight, form hugging T shirt. The doll is controlled and manipulated by dirty sex shop owner Dr C played with gusto by Collum Tempest.
The three other dancers – Matthew Brazier as Maximilian, Lance Collins as Freddie and Saul Kilcullen-Jarvis as Simon – all show great competence, skill and technique. Supple and nimble and with very muscular controlled steps, with leaps and dance moves that totally inhabit the stage.
This is a 60 minute dance sequence that tells a bawdy, slightly sleazy, sinfully naughty and playful story of gay attraction and rejection; that to break up is to make up; that there is fun in the chase, the wooing and also the final capture. There are also great comedy moments. The dance of the huge blue dildos being a particular highlight.
The staging of the show is extremely impressive with four neon lit red doors echoing the more salubrious and salacious aspects of Soho; very clever indeed. This is also a dance piece that is extremely camp, with a burlesque, French farce feel that is totally captivating. The grace and dexterity of the four performers is immaculate and proves without a doubt the elegance of dance. A sizzling homoerotic jazz ballet presented with real panache.
****
Pictures by PGB studios
Boy Toy runs to Sunday 21st July at Above the Stag Studio, 72 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London SE1 7TP. Tickets: abovethestag.ticketsolve.com
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