Otsoko (Wolf) at the National Theatre

Otsoko (Wolf) at the National Theatre

20 August, 2009
by: Gemma Bergomi

As part of the annual Watch This Space festival at the National Theatre, Square2 has been host to an assortment of outdoor performances, showcasing the best of international theatre. Spanish company Gaitzerdi Teatro are the latest to make an appearance with the penultimate show Otsoko (wolf), a modern revision of Little Red Riding Hood with a sinister twist, exploring the sexual journey of a girl into womanhood. 

Traditionally Little Red Riding Hood is the story of a little girl's visit to her grandmother who lives in the middle of the woods. On the way she meets a wolf, but he is too scared to devour her in public so he finds out where she is going, dresses as the girl’s granny and attempts to eat Red Riding Hood and her grandmother. Luckily, they are saved by a local hunter who kills the wolf.

Otsoko stands by this tale - minus the redemptive ending- focusing on the sexual themes that lie dormant in the older version.  Using simple symbols such as apples, flowers and the final step of Little Red ditching her white cape, it is clear when she loses her innocence and delves into the world of adult experiences. The sexy dance she does with the wolf is also a bit of a hint. . .

Drawing on the oral tradition of storytelling, Otsoko's manipulation of sound is particularly well done, especially with the entrance and exit of the pack of wolves. The slow synthesised beat drones on with an eerie whining whilst the wolves howl along, donning long black coats, ragged hair, a muzzle and one blinding light down their back, swaggering smoothly through the crowd on crutches.

Alone, the pack of wolves are not so creepy, but they are then combined with a booming voice– sometimes male and sometimes female- sure to send chills down your spine. However, as this offstage narration that is used to introduce each new scene comments about scary things you find in the forest and 'juicy apples, mmmmmmm' you are left pondering upon the reactions of any passers by who might happen to overhear the performance. Not quite what one expects when walking in central London!

Visually Otsoko is a treat. The forest is skilfully created out of darts that transform into flowers, and sticks that are thrust into the moving stage. Although this is nothing fancy, it provides a clever exposure of the violence that is to come. Equally, the team's acrobatics are well rendered, flowing beautifully through the peculiar setting.
 
Otsoko is essentially an interpretive dance with acrobatics. A contemporary piece, it is a bizarre performance but if you are a fan of Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories, or any modern interpretations of classic stories, then this adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood should appeal.

Check out London Theatre

Check out Things To Do In London 

Gemma Bergomi