I’ve seen De La Guarda’s show “Villa Villa” three times since 1999 when it showed at the Roundhouse in Camden, London.
The last time I caught them was in a warehouse in the dock area of Amsterdam; to get to the makeshift theatre, the audience had to take a boat across the water. I’ll never forget seeing the island drawing closer and noticing the strings of lights overhead, then walking into the warehouse and hearing music pumping and the crowd getting excited. This is not your average show.
De La Guarda is all the things that Cirque De Soleil should be, but isn’t. It’s challenging, emotive, visceral, memorable, surprising and sexy. In some places it’s dark, in others it’s magical, in yet others it’s life-affirming and energetic.
De La Guarda was one of the first breed of theatre companies (cf Shunt, Punchdrunk, Duckie, Lost Vaguness) to offer a hybrid performance which is part music, part drama, part dance, part circus, part mountaineering skills and part audience participation.
The company is from Argentina, so there’s a touch of Latin spirit to the proceedings; I’ll try not to give too much away but suffice to say that it’s not every day that you can dance soaking wet under a shower with a saucy schoolgirl – or fly through the air with a bare-bummed businessman – without being arrested!
The soundtrack (composed by Gaby Kerpel, later remixed by legendary DJ/producer Howie B) is heavily influenced by world music and tribal percussion and is worth a listen just for its own sake.
Currently De La Guarda is performing in Russia, Argentina and in Portugal. I’m sorely tempted to go back again. My only regret is that they haven’t come up with a new show in half a decade – neither have they been back to the UK. But if you’re local, do yourself a favour and check it out.
Oh – and don’t wear your best shoes…
