Berlin Is Last Chance To See Clark's Come, Been, Gone

Well, he’s come, been and gone…

If you’re kicking your heels in Berlin tonight or tomorrow, chances are you’re a Michael Clark dancer warming up a bit!

However, if you’re anywhere near Haus der Berliner Festspiele in Berlin with nothing to do, and you like your dance with a bit of Bowie, Reed and Pop thrown in, then this is for you.

I’ve been carping on about this production since March and I finally got to see it twice at The Barbican in October and November.

All I can really say without going in to an in-depth review about something I know nothing about is, just go!

It’s a breathtaking performance, brilliantly danced and choreographed to just about the best soundtrack I’ve ever heard at a theatrical event.

Even the attention to detail is astonishing. From the music played in the intervals to the 7″ 45 single-sized programme with fold-out poster, above. (Tried to get some for a contest but the girls in Michael’s office don’t seem to want to help.)

There’s also a clever injection of humour before one of the pieces that Michael himself dances in when the voice of John Peel enquires: “Are you going to be doing gigs with this band?” To which DB laughingly responds… “Well, looking at them, no! (more laughter) Yes, we’re going to do some gigs…are we Michael?” Clever stuff.

You can hear that dialogue for yourself following The Width Of A Circle on Bowie At The Beeb. So, well-researched whoever found that, unless Michael was aware of it himself…which he probably was.

Go here for further details of the final performances tonight and tomorrow…not sure if Michael plans to tour it anywhere next year, but Saturday night is the last performance of it this year.

I’ll leave you with the schedule for come, been, gone.

I should tell you, if you are attending, that come, been, gone is preceded by an older work of Michael’s, entitled Swamp, that is set to the music of Bruce Gilbert and Wire. I loved it, but it’s not as accessible as come, been, gone.

Whether you intend to catch Swamp or not, (it would be rude not to) try and catch the interval music before come, been, gone…you’ll like it!