The grotesque and the beautiful

Sweet Flowers of Perversity

Devised and directed by Rainsford

Universal Theatre, Fitzroy, until May 8

Reviewed by Sue Bolton

Sweet Flowers of Perversity is a Butoh-based production. Butoh originated in Japan following World War II as a style of multi-movement performance created to reflect the agony and tragedy of Hiroshima. It deals with notions of what is grotesque and what is beautiful.

This production starts with the naked human body, which is then covered with Butoh white make-up. The body is then adorned.

Rainsford described Sweet Flowers of Perversity as based on "a feminine view of the earth and the nutrients that make up the earth. When you look at a flower, it is beautiful, but it wouldn't exist without roots, which can be grotesque but can also be even more beautiful than the flower."

Rainsford says he is aiming to create something that will linger in an audience's minds and bodies for days afterwards. Not easily forgotten.

From GLW issue 141