Xana Novais, Annina Lara Maria Machaz, Florentina Holzinger, Evelyn Frantti, Renée Copraij, Maria Netti Nüganen
Photo by Radovan Dranga

There’s theater that entertains and theater that strikes a chord deep in your body, a sort of theater of the body. The dance-based performance art piece Apollon, created in collaboration with Belgian arts center CAMPO, is definitely the latter. While it offers little in the way of enjoyment, Apollon does make you feel something visceral, and I imagine choreographer Florentina Holzinger would prefer her piece to spark discussion over being something that someone describes as beautiful.

Apollon consists of a series of stitched together tableaux, like a random stream of images that, at times, feels like a relentless assault on the senses. There appears to be no context for the trajectory of the piece, no clear narrative, and little to offer up a distinct message. Some of the imagery is disturbing (there are signs at the theater that warn of violence), some is downright disgusting (this is not a show for the squeamish), and some of the sounds accompanied by the images are amplified to feel quite nightmarish. The six female performers (Renée Copraij, Evelyn Frantti, Holzinger, Annina Lara Maria Machaz, Xana Novais, and Maria Netti Nüganen) are stark naked throughout and reveal a lot more than just breasts in the course of the performance. There is a lot of uncomfortable and intense physicality on display.

Florentina Holzinger, Evelyn Frantti (center), Maria Netti Nüganen
Photo by Radovan Dranga

That all said, there is a lot of humor in Apollon. Dark and perverse humor for sure, but there are some laugh-out-loud moments when you can’t help but chuckle through the discomfort. What I also like is the commentary on women’s bodies as being on display for entertainment, as though we are watching a sideshow. Indeed, Holzinger drew inspiration for the piece from freak shows of the turn of the 19th century, juxtaposing low art with high art. Case in point: A dancer performing a delicate ballet pauses to fart loudly. The idea of women’s bodies as delicate and beautiful, and here to exist for your pleasure, is definitely flipped on its head.

Let’s be clear, Apollon is certainly not for everybody. But it is different and interesting, and that’s valid. Also, kudos to NYU Skirball for continually taking risks and showcasing innovative theater from all over the world. I have seen a lot of shows here that have opened my mind and shown me so many possibilities of what theater can do, Apollon included. It’s just not exactly my cup of tea.