Die Hard’ meets ‘The Office’ in ‘BLAM!’” Or at least that’s how the Neander theatre describes its show. And those who have watched it will call it nothing less. With parkour, acrobatic stunts, drama and even some dancing, ‘BLAM!’ is an action performance that is packed with energy and theatrics. Created and conceptualised by Kristján Ingimarsson, the founder of Neander, and Jesper Pedersen, the show is back, revised and rejuvenated, playing at the Republique theatre in Østerbro until December 1.
The show opens to the scene of a rather dull and dreary office where three bored and suppressed staff take to enacting action sequences from movies like ‘Die Hard’, ‘Rambo’ and this year’s ‘The Avengers’ (told you it was revised!), to name a few. What follows is an entertaining display of male egos at play, set in the context of their office space, which transforms cleverly into a battle arena.
Credit is definitely due to set designer Kristian Knudsen, whose creative vision enables a basic office setting to smoothly lend itself to the action sequences performed. And well done for creating a show that is truly universal. The lack of any dialogue means that ‘BLAM!’ breaks language barriers, while the circus-like performance makes it appealing to younger audiences.
However, after 50 minutes of relentless action, you start to wonder whether this is all the show has to offer, or whether there will be a surprising addition in the form of a new character or a different act that will feature another kind of performance. Unfortunately, to my slight disappointment, the action sequences continued for another 30 minutes.
Because while ‘Boys will be boys’, the females in the audience will probably want a little bit more.
BLAM!
Pernille Garde's Circus of Life was performed at Dansehallerne from November 7-11.
The Neander theatre's production of BLAM! is being performed at the Republique theatre until December 1
