Some people have the knack of creating hugely enjoyable, highly entertaining, laugh-out-loud dance theatre. The charismatic duo of Tiago Gambogi and Maggi Swallow (aka f.a.b. – The Detonators) certainly manage to do this, as this colourful foray into the two-dimensional world of the Hollywood movie demonstrates. Yet even as we rock with laughter at the individual moments – Tiago cavorting in multi-coloured lycra and wig/Maggi salsaing in fruit-encrusted headgear – the surface froth conceals an underlying melancholy, which is both the strength and weakness of this tale of what happens if real life is like your dreams.(...)...stories of an unconventional childhood, a repossessed home, a lost dog and belief in the reality of movies...(...) As for the movement, what they achieved within the Ustinov’s compact confines was indeed ‘Extraordinary’, with Tiago revealing an amazing ability simply to spring skywards, while the ‘white shirt’ heads down 9 to 5 reality sequence provided an interesting counterpoint to the previous celluloid madness. And who will forget Tiago metamorphosing into a lounge singer (complete with white jacket still bearing a price tag) displaying his considerable vocal talents? But for me the evenings’ most memorable moment was a touching scene where this Venue double Top Banana winner tried in vain to woo Maggi beneath an inflatable palm tree – carrying a giant banana! (VENUE MAGAZINE, Lesley Barnes)
Tiago Gambogi is a passionate Brazilian dancer, actor, choreographer and joint artistic director of physical theatre company f.a.b. – The Detonators, formed with Margaret Swallow in 1999. He trained at Fundação Clóvis Salgado (Brasil) and at Laban Centre (London). Tiago worked with various artists and companies: Nigel Charnock, Gail Sneddon / modusforum, New Theatre Works, Institute for Crazy Dancing, Meridian Dance Theatre, Manoeuvre Dance, Gary Rowe, Fionnbarr Productions, Lisa May Thomas (UK); Grupo Oficcina Multimédia, Cesar Volpe (Brasil); Paulo Ribeiro (Lisbon, Portugal) and Jan Benes-McGadie (Prague, Czech Republic). “…Tiago Gambogi, the darling of the public, was given the opportunity to show not only his comic talent and acrobatic prowess but also a striking ability to look endearing and utterly in love.” (Dance Season 1999).
Heroes
For those who really need to know, Margaret Swallow was born in international waters as her parents returned, via ship, from South Africa. She therefore has true international status. Margaret originally trained in 3D design in the UK (which she says “is like dance, but just happens to be very still!”) before going on to live and work in San Francisco. On her return to the UK she undertook contemporary dance training at the Laban Centre in London. There she met Tiago Gambogi with whom she founded the physical theatre company f.a.b. – The Detonators. Whilst in London she continued her theatre training - in devised theatre, theatre improvisation, physical theatre and singing.
Blurbs
About me:
Who I'd like to meet:
f.a.b. - The Detonators present 'EXTRAORDINARY' - Everyone has a dream. But what if the “what if” becomes real?
An extra that wants to be the star stumbles into a thoroughly mixed-up plot with lots of life, love and a Starring Role. Together with a hopeful romantic she makes a grand entrance into a Brasilian ballad, to discover a dance that makes the best things happen!
f.a.b. – The Detonators puts the extra into an ordinary life with their intense, energetic physical theatre, creating a comic, dark and unorthodox take on love, loss and going backwards in heels - all in glorious technicolour!
“Some people have the knack of creating hugely enjoyable, highly entertaining, laugh-out-loud dance theatre. The charismatic duo of Tiago Gambogi and Maggi Swallow (aka f.a.b. – The Detonators) certainly manage to do this, as this colourful foray into the two-dimensional world of the Hollywood movie demonstrates.” 4 stars (Lesley Barnes, Venue Magazine)
f.a.b. – The Detonators are charismatic star performers Brasilian Tiago Gambogi and English Margaret Swallow.
f.a.b. – The Detonators became one of the
brightest performance companies to emerge in the UK on their return to the country in 2001. Since that time they have established themselves as a dynamic, mature company producing work of vision and humour.
Offering an engaging and dynamic blend of dance, theatre, design and music with a liberal helping of humour, the company is leaving an ever growing trail of thrilled and delighted audiences in their wake with previous productions that include ‘Carrot King’ (1999), directed by Mark Phoenix; ‘My Generation – infância caleidoscópica’ (2001), directed by the company; ‘Made in Brasil’ (2005), directed by Nigel Charnock. “…Stimulating…inventive…to the point…” (Venue Magazine, on ‘Made in Brasil’)
Already renowned for their energetic, passionate performances and their intimate approach to theatre, f.a.b. – The Detonators share their flights of imagination and their unique reflections on society with a contemporary theatrical audience. Using a wide variety of techniques, including improvisation and Grotowsky’s physical actions principle, they create a theatrical extravaganza - a distinctive, vigorous mix of dance, movement, text and music.
f.a.b. – The Detonators are Associated Artists with Swindon Dance and Theatre Lab Ustinov Theatre Royal Bath.
