In 2014 I saw the Argentinian post-modernist theatre group Fuerza Bruta at the Roundhouse and I was to use the vernacular “blown away” – both metaphorically and literally – there was use of a powerful wind machine at one point. One of the highlights was the famous “running man” (the poster using his image was plastered all around London) who seemed to be made of super putty, bouncing around the arena whilst being buffeted by wind, water and polystyrene bricks – it was mind-blowing. Another highlight was two plastic swimming pools suspended from the roof of the venue containing two performers who the audience could interact with as the pools were lowered to just above our heads – talk about sensory overload!
So I was really excited to see that the group were back in the same venue ten years later with a new show AVEN and see what they could come up with this time and what the “wow” factor was going to be but unfortunately, it was all a bit of a let-down and the “wow” factor never arrived although there was a lot of the athleticism from the troupe – these people don’t have six-packs – the have twelve packs!
The evening starts with a loud DJ set for half an hour before five drummers appear at one end of the auditorium playing with great power and force (Fuerza Bruta is Spanish for brute force), After that various acts start with an enormous inflatable globe of Earth from which four performers hang from giant bungy ropes. Then there are various other vignettes such as a performer suspended within a large plastic tube (AVEN in Spanish means a vertical shaft) whilst paper flows all around him. Then there is a moving catwalk that makes its way through the audience as four of the drummers dance on it. We do get a swimming pool suspended from the ceiling that lowers but it just doesn’t have the impact of the 2014 version. There’s also a long sequence in a powerful wind tunnel along one wall the dancers/athletes are fixed to what looked like bicycle seats to prevent them from being blown along the stage. Then suspended from the ceiling comes an almost full-size inflatable whale that swishes its tail but doesn’t do a lot more than that.
To sum up the experience, at times I felt I was trapped in a nightclub in Ibiza – not that I’ve ever been to a nightclub in Ibiza (or even to Ibiza) but you get the picture. It’s very loud and some of the audience got wet as they’re sprayed with water from a power washer or rained on as water cascades down from the roof – not sure how much fun that is. The excitement of the 2014 version wasn’t there – there were fewer performers, less panache, less of the amazing laser light show of 2014 – less of everything – especially the “wow” factor the audience seemed to be waiting for. The previous Fuerza Bruta show was Cirque de Soleil with the smooth edges rubbed off and turned up to 11 – this new show is around about a 6 and all a bit “meh”. Maybe those seeing Fuerza Bruta for the first time will be excited and overawed but for me, it was all a bit of a disappointment.
Review by Alan Fitter
Fuerza Bruta is the hottest ticket in London this summer, with their incredible new show – AVEN, a rollercoaster ride of euphoria, optimism and desire – bringing a unique, club-theatre, experience to audiences through a spectacle of dance, music, movement, and passion that fills hearts with collective joy.
Direct from Buenos Aires AVEN, created by Fuerza Bruta’s Artistic Director Diqui James with music and musical direction by Gaby Kerpel, is a high energy celebration of adventure and paradise. A place that exists in our minds. A space without a floor, without boundaries.
This is a show that sweeps the audience up and leaves everyone breathless for more.
Performers: Georgina Seva, Lucia Echazu, Maria Figueroa, Cintia Torres Garcia, Deolinda Pereira Delvalle, Fiorella Gimenez, Maria Gill, Felipe Figueroa, Nahuel Delgado, Jose Jofre Gavilan, Fernando Dragone, Agustin Lazarte Burgos, Damian Gomez, Fabian Sosa Brites
Creator / Artistic Director – Diqui James
Producer – Carla Moya
Lighting Designer – Gaspar Potocnik
Production Manager – Felipe Romero
Stage Manager – Diego Fernandez Mayora
Company Manager – Julieta Corti
Head Crew – Jose Salvatierra
Wardrobe Designer – Andrea Mattio
Automation – Alejandro Garcia
Sound – Federico Coni
FUERZA BRUTA: AVEN
A Fuerza Bruta, Roundhouse and Kindred Partners co-production
Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH
9 July to 1 September 2024
I completely agree, loved it in 2014 but the energy just wasn’t there today (Sat 13 July 5.30pm show). Very disjointed, uncohesive, not much of a theme and many of the same ideas as 10 years ago but slimmed down and nowhere near as impressive. Running girl batting air bags was nothing compared to the similar theatrics of 2014 running man. Girl in a tiny pool, not much to shout about. So much better last time with claustrophobic pool above loads more people and them slamming and sliding in the water. DJ set at the end was a compilation of pretty dire mega pop tunes. The main set seemed much shorter too, padding it with some dodgy tunes either end doesn’t count! Hope they up their game for next time
Completely agree. Massively disappointed. We were at the same show yesterday. It’s not a patch on previous shows (going right back to De La Guarda). Nothing dangerous, inventive or mind blowing
Saw in August at the Roundhouse and what a let down. Dancing in a smoke tunnel and a treadmill, very dull and unimaginative, and a big whale floating above being rocked from side to side, seriously, maybe for the under 11s it might have a bit of wow but there was more wow just going out on Camden high street !!
Totally agree with all the comments expressed! Dull, incredibly unimaginative show with overly loud and rather disturbing music. Comparing with the first show in 2014, very disappointing experience! Not worth the time neither the money, and perhaps even the 11 years old would feel there was not much to the show!