PERFORMANCE PERSPECTIVES

"Dancing at Lughansa" and "The Buena Vista Social Club"
A VOTE FOR DEMOCRACY

In recent times, Karl Haas in his syndicated radio programme "Adventures in Music" explored the topic of "democracy in music". Democratic principle applied to performance. This topic made a very interesting programme.

"Dancing at Lughansa"
In film and theatre the star system can undermine such ideals. Meryl Streep is a star. She is also an actor whose technical, creative and story-telling skills are universally admired. It is these skills that allow Meryl Streep to survive in a story, which is anything but a vehicle for a star. "Dancing at Lughansa" viewed recently on video tape is not a star maker but an ensemble piece. The film itself seems the perfect illustration of democracy at work. The story is:

• not about one person but about the group
• no one character is more important than another
• no performance more or less outstanding than another
• no character unnecessarily given more screen time than another
• no character favoured by lighting more than another.

In fact the only place Meryl Streep has special status is in the opening credits.

How can this be? Could it be that:

• although nurtured by the star system in America, Meryl managed to rise above the imbalances inherent in such a structure
• Meryl has never pandered to those principles
• the directors approach to performance process guaranteed equality
• maybe it was the nature/power of the story itself
• or simply the combination of skills and personalities in the cast
• the challenge of mastering an Irish accent had a leveling effect in itself

The quality of Meryl's performance is not the only democratic element in this production. It isn't possible to sense actors struggling to deliver imposed director's goals. The cast appears to be as comfortable with the director as they are with each other. They also seem comfortable with the story too.

The result - a delightfully refreshing and eccentric film with well-balanced and well-focused performances where every voice has space to be heard.

Equality of power, personality and ideas - an enviable creative environment.

The Buena Vista Social Club
The Buena Vista Social Club is also a film of delightful eccentricities. It is a distinctly different movie to "Dancing at Lughansa" for it is a documentary that records Rye Cooder's trip to Cuba and his exploration of the local music scene. This is a film which is structurally flawed as its ending is a bit circuitous. However it is constantly filled with such joie de vive that it is impossible to not smile at the infectious energy of these musicians.

And here again, extremely potently - democracy is at work.

The clarity with which the voice of each individual instrument is heard is extraordinary considering the size of the band. Amongst these performers there is no sense of competition. No sense of the desire "to standout" or "to be outstanding". Their purpose is simply "to share" their skills, ideas and enjoyment.

Here everyone is a star. They star as "listeners", "sharers" and "contributors". These qualities can only be present with performers who have confidence in their abilities and trust in themselves.

This film is a performance banquet, the main ingredients being relaxation and collaboration. Here "the intuitive" is free - within the clearly defined parameters of the musical form. These seasoned performers rely not on energy and hype but instead on relaxation and focus. The apparent ease with which these essential goals are achieved is a salient lesson for all performers everywhere.

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