Movies of War

1 of 2 2 of 2 Get the best of Vancouver in your inbox, every Tuesday and Thursday. Sign up for our free newsletter.Vancouver’s newest dance ensemble, Little Room Productions, is, in the words of its co-founder Isak Enquist, “a tiny production company trying to make very large work.”That’s backed up by the company’s first show, Fall(se) Circ(us). Most inaugural performances are solo shows, maybe duets. Not this one. Enquist has enlisted seven dance artists from different mediums (from tappers to ballroom dancers to hip hop artists) to perform the piece, which explores cycles of work and rest through physical feats, focus, and improvisation.“In the dances I’m trying to make, it’s important that we work together as a group,” says Enquist. “There’s something about having a large ensemble on stage that changes the alchemy or chemistry of how we can work in the space. My practice has always been about how to transfer information to other bodies and have a dialogue about that.”Of course, being a small company with a small budget and hiring seven dancers isn’t easy, Enquist admits. That’s one of the reasons that Fall(se) Circ(us) is a one-night-only performance that takes place this Saturday (March 21) at the Roundhouse Theatre. It’s not the only reason, though. One show is intentional in that we would like it to be a concentrated event,” Enquist says. “Especially in this city, where the arts are… I almost want to say taken for granted. You go to Montreal, and shows are constantly selling out. In Europe, there is a real culture of going out to the theatre. The intention is to make one big bang. I think it’s quite nice to have a show in Vancouver that people don’t get to see, and hopefully people will talk about it.” Lula-Belle Jedynak Enquist’s background isn’t like most in the dance world. He grew up practicing martial arts in the Kootenays and started dancing around the age of 15. “I had the intention of becoming a company rep dancer, but I quickly found out that, with the way my body works, there were already so many ideas happening in my perspective of movement that it was very challenging to empty that out and become a canvas.” That background and way of thinking has undoubtedly influenced Enquist’s first work as the main producer on a show. To hear him talk about it, the show, like Enquist himself, will be completely original. “I’ve gone through a huge amount of research, and I’m confident that I don’t think I’ve seen anyone move like this before,” he says. “That’s a pride I’m taking into the work. It’s incredibly high art, almost circus-like in the way it’s showing something that I can’t imagine anyone in the audience will have done before. Slowly though the performance we’re trying to crossfade, and to have the formality and rigidness fall apart until at the end of the show we’re dancing for dance’s sake and leaning into a party culture. I hope the audience will be feeling brave and interested in joining the artists on stage.”Yeah, that should get people talking. Fall(se) Circ(us) plays at the Roundhouse Theatre on March 21. Tickets here. Join the discussion Facebook comments not loading? Please check your browser settings to ensure that it is not blocking Facebook from running on straight.com