Jo Fong and George Orange’s performance piece, The Rest of our Lives, is the most life affirming, joyous and thought-provoking slice of performance art I have seen. It’s about nothing less than the meaning of life, well, life from fifty onwards and trounces preconceptions. It begins haltingly, with modest moves from George, and warnings from Jo that it cost more for a ticket in Dartmouth. We enter a world of middle-aged wonder, partly that we can still boogie. After one testing manoeuvre, Jo comments on George ‘Well, he is fifty-eight.’
It's a journey, with electronic slogans back of stage that direct feelings. From You are OK to How do I get through this? to the lyrics to I want to go where love is by the magnificent Foreigner. By this point, we were joining in and there was an audience karaoke to the song. The slogan about getting through tough times is set to Purcell’s poignant aria When I am laid (in earth), and the movements are thoughtful, with the figures walking about.
But the mood overall is distinctly upbeat and there is a terrific sequence near the end with ping pong balls being hit and thrown about, as if by a group of kids. We certainly discovered the child within. There is adult stuff too, with an erotic passage with Jo and George sitting opposite each other and negotiating the underside of the chairs like amorous seals.
It’s significant that love features in so many of the songs played from Donna Summer onwards. For as we don’t at all go gentle into that good night, but stay for a dance, that’s the message. It’s about the tender emotions. It was really a happening, a fitting ending to a memorable Belfast International Arts Festival, and I’m glad I was there.
Jane Hardy
