A Fan Reviews Sergei’s Satori

PROJECT POLUNIN – SATORI

I have never been an unconditional fan of anyone as I believe change is the only constant. Yet, to my surprise, after being at the London Coliseum on December 9th and 10th I understood the ones who say “I love Polunin, no matter what.”
I flew from Barcelona to London with the only purpose of making a dream come true – I wanted to see Natalia Osipova and Sergei Polunin dancing together. I came back home yesterday feeling as if a lightening had struck me, turned me inside out, upside down. As if what mattered up to December 8th is no longer important. That’s how I feel, exaggerated as it may sound.

Saturday December 9th, Polunin was on stage for seven minutes with his FIRST SOLO, premiered in August in Switzerland. An explosion of strength, passion, precise movement and technique. Beautiful music, poetry and great choreography. The stage was too small for so much talent!

After that, SCRIABINIANA – the bodies of ten dancers, pas de deux, expressed so many feelings, so much beauty! They were excellent, perfect I should say. Their bodies spoke to the audience through every single movement. It was delightful and powerful to watch them. And then came Polunin and Osipova and as they danced, perfection turned into love. They absolutely complemented each other as if their bodies were the last two pieces needed to finish the puzzle. The ultimate beauty!

Last, SATORI – Very interesting, beautiful, clever “mise-en-scène”, if that can be said for ballet, great choreography and direction. It somehow reminded me of Le Cirque Du Soleil, don’t ask me why, and I really enjoyed it. Tree of life, mother, little boy (sweet Tom Waddington), shadows,fears and demons, woman/lover/saviour and the troubled seeker. Although SATORI is a Japanese Buddhist word for Awakening, to me it is a homage, a public love letter to Natalia Osipova. She saves him and shows him the meaning of Love, Forgiveness, Dance and Life. He is grateful, thankful and shows it to her. He has found himself, doesn’t need to seek out any longer. They can both rest, naked, in each other’s arms. This is how I understood it. Lovely performance. Very real too. As usual Osipova was brilliant and perfect! But gosh, what a responsibility to be your lover’s saviour!
Great applause at the end.

I was happy to see quite a few children in the audience. Beauty makes people’s hearts better and it’s a good idea to start at a young age.

Sunday December 10th, several wonderful pas de deux, a solo by a really, really good Cuban dancer, Miguel Altunaga, who got a huge round of applause. After that, “Take me to Church.” That’s when I started crying and haven’t been able to stop since, on and off. Cathartic effect. Very needed I believe! The lady sitting next to me, at the Coliseum, was very kind and handed me a perfumed tissue, very useful indeed!

Last, SATORI, once again.

On Sunday the audience was a lot more enthusiastic and the applause was louder. Lots of children too.

If you have the chance to attend the next performance of PROJECT POLUNIN, SATORI, please don’t miss it. It’s really worth it!

Last but not least: I once read Polunin believed Art belongs to everyone and should be within everybodys reach. Tickets should be much cheaper. Programme booklets should be free. Otherwise he will go on creating and performing for a privileged elite which would contradict the aim of his PROJECT.

To the ones who criticise Polunin, please give the man a break, allow him to be different and do whatever he feels like. He is STILL the best! “If you cannot help, at least do not hurt.” To the ones who are busy looking for a partner for Osipova, because you don’t like her being with Polunin, please mind your business and let her mind hers.

To the haters, there are a few on this page, please go boil your head! Like the Scots would say, Awa’ an’ bile yer heid!