It has always proved difficult to find a choreographer willing to take part in the creation of a Ludus show. A Ludus work is collaboration in its truest sense. Traditionally in dance, the choreographer often takes the role not only of choreographer but also director and producer and is often the 'lead' component in a creative process. In a Ludus process the choreographer is just one of the critical elements that comprise the creative team. Plus, and maybe more significantly, it is a tall order to ask a choreographer to work creatively within the context of prescription and narrative.
Ludus' work is issue based and always has been since the conception of the company in 1975. A theme for a production is usually decided approximately one year in advance of the actual devising process. From this point the core creative team, comprising the four dancer/teachers, the director and head of touring begin a process of research and partnership building.
One of the most auspicious developments for Ludus over the past 5 years has been the internet. Technology has massively increased our ability to both research shows and to create partnerships. It is unlikely we would ever have come across Craig Kielburger (Free the Children - Canada) had not Google bounced up his web address in response to our first tentative search on 'child labour issues'. Without the internet, it is unlikely we would have formed a partnership with the film maker, Magnus Bergmar, who allowed us to use original footage of Iqbal Masih - the inspiration behind our show SOLD (2) or worked so closely with Anti-Slavery International, Save the Children and UNICEF.
And I am sure, we all discovered a great deal more about sex via the research achieved for ZYGOTE (3). For example, we now know that the teen magazine BLISS is more informative when it comes to improving ones 'bling bling rating' via the 'oyster position' than Cosmopolitan magazine ever could be!
Partnerships are fundamental to our work. They ensure we avoid the risk of becoming quasi-experts within fields of work that we can only explore, interpret and represent. Regarding content, there are two aims to achieve;
a) an integrity in relation to the issue and
b) most importantly, integrity in relation to our audience - young people.
The partnership base for Zygote was extensive. The process began when a forward thinking Teenage Health Consortium based in Leicestershire, contacted their local authority arts development officer - Tessa Massey - enquiring how they would go about commissioning a theatre show exploring teenage pregnancy and parenting. Ludus was invited to present a proposal as to how we would achieve a performance piece, which could meet their agenda and needs regarding raising awareness of teenage pregnancy and parenting.
We received literally reams of documents regarding their strategies, government policies and what can only be described as extensive papers on social engineering and the elimination of the cyclical nature of poverty! Our job - to condense it all into a 55-minute show and a dance workshop education programme.
We were confident that we could partner the basic values and principles as identified in one document in particular - 'A Strategy to Tackle Teenage Pregnancy and Support Young Parents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland' by Philip Garner & Dr. R. Shukla. The document outlined a number of aspirations to include:
- positive concept of sexual health
- engage and empower young people
- be based on theory
- based on partnership
- explore social and media issues
- the provision of 'early information' - before sexual activity
- provide a non-traditional, innovative approach.
Our consequent presentation to the educators, health and youth workers outlined what we felt we could creatively explore:
- we did not feel that the show would be explicitly about sex education
- free choice, the consequences of choice and the necessity for an informed choice.
- the encouragement of 'knowledge-currency'
- myths v the reality i.e. media, teenage magazines, psuedo-romanticism
- the reality of parenthood and bringing up a child
- peer pressure and the 'rites of passage' - daring to be different
- the biology lesson and how alienating this can be v the teen mag
- the education of adults and parents - attitudinal shift.
A fundamental component, on which the show would rest, was the research with young people themselves, bringing them actively into the partnership. Unless we had an understanding of what was important to young people regarding sex we were in danger of being - as one young person put it - 'another bunch of adults telling us what to think (about sex).'
So we asked them directly. For one week in Leicester, the dancers, director and choreographer spent time with 15 groups of young people (to include Young Parents Groups, Youth Groups and schools) to ask the following question; if you were to make a show about teenage sex and parenting what do you think would be the important ingredients and how would you do it? Common responses included; making sure we know about sex and that clear choices are made regarding having sex and being a parent. Peer and media pressure was discussed, as was the role of boys in being part of the bigger picture as opposed to the 'enemy'. It was unanimous that young people liked least discussing sex with adults and we were surprised to discover strong negative attitudes towards teenage parents.
Other essentials included a non-judgemental attitude, humour, funky music and "something to learn from and talk about".
From the various groups a steering group was established of 14 young people (including young parents) who would take part more actively in the actual devising of the show and would give feedback regarding the work as it evolved. The group also comprised two youth workers. The process involved an initial meet where we presented our ideas based on the research to check that we were identifying the important issues followed by the group visiting the company in Lancaster and working in the studio.
In terms of their involvement, the group acted as consultants in terms of creative ideas, conceptual affirmation, and, quite simply, whether it made any sense to them or reflected their dilemmas in some way. And, most importantly, they were taken seriously. For example, at one point, the steering group offered to write down all the slang terms for body parts, sex acts, insults etc they could muster. This was to assist an idea to create a sound track incorporating 'taboo' words (in such a repetitive manner they lost their impact) for a scene dubbed 'Sex Talk'. The group had argued strongly that slang terms should be used. However, it was then decided that it was actually the use of the Latin, or the 'proper' words that embarrassed them most, (slang terminology being a useful cover up) so the sound track would be uncomfortable to hear and better make the point if it went 'wet dreams, vagina, clitoris, penis' rather than 'cum, fanny, pea, plonker'. (Ironically, adults often think we are being conservative using the Latin!)
ZYGOTE takes the format of a futuristic game show where one of the contestants will become pregnant (an unplanned pregnancy). The contestants undertake a series of quests; Sex Pressure, Sex Talk, Sex Knowledge and Sex? The live testing scene serves the twist - it is the male game show host who tests as pregnant. From this point he is taken through pregnancy to giant babies to rebellious teenage kids. Most boys report back as being more interested to see what happens to a man being pregnant.
Prior to the premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in Leicester, the show previewed to an invited 'stakeholder' audience of over 180 people. In exchange for a glass of wine, each audience member was asked to write down their opinions regarding five questions;
1.What was your overall impression of Zygote?
2. Which scenes worked for you and why?
3.What issues do you think Zygote raises for young people?
4.Please could you comment on your feelings about the end of the piece.
5.Do you think the show is appropriate for 10/11 year olds - if not, why?
The comments informed the next stage of the show's development in Leicester. Early within the tour, the dancers and director undertook post show feedback sessions and set up focus groups with young people - again, to ensure the continual development of the piece.
So far, the show has been extremely well received by young people, health workers, educators and youth workers alike. For us, this re-iterates the importance and value of developing shows alongside our key audience. And, it seems the work cross references culturally with youth from around the world - over the past two years, the dancers have performed in Singapore, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Kosovo & Colombia. Zygote performed to a young audience of 1,750 in Bogota - they shouted, laughed, applauded and cheered in all the same places as a UK audience.
But, we don't appear to please everyone (ironically, our greatest critics come from the actual 'dance profession') and we don't pretend to try. Our aim is to create a dance theatre experience, which speaks. The work is made with young people, for young people - our most important critics and supporters. The following is a review taken from a magazine produced by a school - 'TeenMag' -
"ZYGOTE ... The latest performance from Ludus Dance is about teenage pregnancy. Yes I know what you are thinking ... 'here's another bunch of adults warning us about the dangers of unprotected sex' well, you'd be right in thinking that, but what Zygote does isn't dull or boring. Ludus aren't here to pound the facts into your brain with a sledgehammer - they're here to tell us through fast paced dance, cool visuals and a funky soundtrack just what it feels like to be a parent. Go and see Zygote, you might learn a thing or two - I know I did. I am more confident about talking about sex and contraception and I think everyone should be. But be warned, if giant babies are a nightmare to you - stay away!"
(1) Craig Kielburger, founder of www.freethechildren.org
Ludus received an award from FTC in recognition of SOLD.
(2) SOLD: Ludus show exploring child labour issues. 1998-2000.
(3) ZYGOTE: currently touring, teenage pregnancy and parenting. Available until May 2004.
For further information about Ludus Dance contact deborah.barnard@ludus.org
A selection of comments by young people
"Excellent. Fabulously danced. Nicely handled by grown-ups. Good through line. Great sound track - some fab moves. Film is excellent..."
"Very impressive. Important messages delivered in an accessible way for young people. Not patronising. Clear and concise advice. Good music - fantastic projection - loved the sperm!"
"Excellent, contemporary, maintains interest and it was funny! A nice mix of dance, music and visuals and a non-threatening way of approaching a difficult subject."
"A classy production. Bold. Important. Shocking. Thought provoking."
"I think the show will make people think about pregnancy but wont make them feel scared or insecure"
"I especially liked the scene where sex issues were put across to the contestants and seeing their embarrassed faces. It really captured modern attitudes to sex and also showed that not everyone is 'doing it' which is a relief"
Comments from Teenage Reviews
Are you embarrassed about talking about sex? Do not worry Magteeners, Zygote does the talking - with style ... it is very absorbing, involving, and intriguing ...
Everyone was shocked to find that the man was pregnant but it really did work as it showed that the responsibility is shared.
Ludus' true strength is their dance, the movement sometimes reflects a teenager's freedom and free will, so they move as fluid and flexible ... Zygote is a clever dance piece capable enough to maintain its theme and their high quality contemporary dance reflects teenager's life effectively.
Zygote is the new thing this season - its hip and hoping all over the country.
Parents might also want to see it as they might learn more about today's youth and what it is like for us.
Zygote was sheer poetry in motion and mixed the hard-hitting issues of teenage life with a comic edge that Einstein would have thought was genius. The game show idea was excellent. A show not to be missed.
Comments from web site message board
"Hi, I saw Zygote at Havant College last night. It was AMAZING! I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was so original. The interdisciplinary approach worked really well and the whole thing was really easy to follow. The transitions from each stage of puberty/pregnancy etc. were really slick - I didn't notice the changes until they had taken place. I loved the fluidity and weightlessness of the movements and how you used the puberty motifs throughout. I would LOVE to be part of a company like Ludus one day. Thanks for the performance and for the workshop you did with St Vincent College on Monday. It was great fun. Love Abi ."
"Hey you guys. It's Darren here from new college in tenfold. I just wanted to say a big thank you for all the hard work that you have put into the dance that we did. Not everyone has had the chance to say thanxs so on behalf of them THANK YOU. Also I would just like to say how good zygote was, I really enjoyed it and even if I didn't know anything about the subject I would learn a lot from the show. Also I want to say wow as you use so many different art forms in you show, so my question would be where did all the ideas come from when you sat down and talked about what you were going to do, did you discuss what kind of art forms that you wanted in it or did they just develop. Ok better go but I hope that you come back to us soon so that we can do more excellent work. Hope to see more of all of you. All the best Darren."