This month I will be talking to different acts that are taking part in the Liverpool Improvisation Festival. Today I speak to Rowena Gander about the show Freeing the Body with the Pole.

Shows: Freeing the Body with the Pole
Location: Unity 1, Liverpool
Date: 19th April
Time: 13:15
Ticket Price: £7 Concessions £6
Link: https://www.liverpoolimprovfestival.com/freeing-the-body-with-pole.html

Hello! Tell us about your act ? 

Freeing The Body with The Pole is a 4-hour physically demanding durational performance where the performance artist reels off all the movements she can remember with the pole. The solo performer, who is known for rejecting traditional and stylistic aesthetic, continues to free her body from an acquired movement language that combines movement forms in contemporary dance, erotic dance, pole dance, and jazz dance. The spectator is invited to stay for part or the entire duration of the work. 

How did you come up with the name of your show that you are taking to Liverpool Improv Festival?

I was inspired by Marina Abramovic’s “Freeing the Mind” because I repetitively watched video documentation of the work when I was performing at her solo retrospective in the Royal Academy of Arts. She freed her mind of words to elevate her state of consciousness. As a movement practitioner, I have experienced enhanced states from movement improvisation and creative play, and because I create and improvise with the pole, it seemed logical that I would call the name Freeing the Body with the Pole. I am really interested in challenging my approach to the pole and believe the duration of the work will push my thinking. 

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

The durational work will blend elements of pole dance, contemporary dance, physical theatre, and performance art. My movement will be accompanied by a original sound score by Noel Jones, which will be looped four times for each hour of the work. The sound will, at times, provide stimulus for my movement and play with and around the pole. There will also be times when I stop to absorb the energy of the spectator, to find new stimuli and impulse. The audience will share the stage with the performer. 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?

Your Flaws: The Musical!, Murder Inc. and Rubbish Improvised Shakespeare.

What is the best thing about performing at the Liverpool Improv festival?

I haven’t performed there yet, but I can see from attending last year that there is a big buzz around spontaneous and improvised performance, and I am excited to be a part of that. 

What are your three favourite things about Liverpool

People, culture, and accent. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who is patient, able to fully connect with gaze, and will let themselves just be, for four hours. 

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

@rowenagander on Instagram, Facebook and X

And Finally finish this sentence – ‘you should see our show at Liverpool Improv Festival because…. 

To challenge your assumptions of pole dance, to feel empowered by a relentless female performer, and, well, have you ever seen anyone improvise movement with and around a pole for four hours?