A production in which the performers are incredibly insync and perfectly in time with the music throughout, there is no room for error in The Desk. A well refined and mesmerising physical theatre piece inspired by the founders own experience in a cult, this Finnish company, Reetta Honkakoski Company, definitely impresses as you could hear a pin drop in the room. The company works as an ensemble, performing sharp, exact movements in perfect harmony. Their work is precise, funny and expressive.
To begin the piece, the women enter the stage one by one, showing intense interest in seeing what is inside The Desk, before being caught out by another and quickly scuttling back offstage again. They then perform a series of synchronised, high energy and robotic inspired movement to a simple yet tense soundtrack.
The Desk explores power, control and group behaviour in this hour long performance. Founder of the company, Honkskoski, takes on the role of the teacher, dressed in a military style outfit. The rest of the ensemble, or students, demonstrate her control by performing manic, minimal movements such as flicking through a book and reading the lines, and show fear and suspense through their frenzied eye movements.
The fast paced performance decelerates part way through as they perform a mesmerising, slow motion section across the desks. Incorporating headstands, and climbing effortlessly across the desks, they are truly enchanting to watch.
The Desk is powerful and hypnotising throughout. Their precision and refinement is something to be marvelled at. The one thing that stood out to me however, is that some sections felt to be a little too long, due to the repetitive nature of them. Regardless, this team of performers are extremely talented and skilled.
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