Relationships often harbour raging emotional turbulences that fling lovers into the depths of depression and the soaring heights of ecstasy—dramatic episodes that distract people from what’s truly happening.

Albert Tiong explores these situations in his Checkmate, a dance piece commissioned by da:ns Festival 2008. The choreographer tells us more about his work that promises to “push the limits of agility”.

What are your inspirations/motivations behind Checkmate?

“I was inspired by a game of chess. I’ve always wondered what the real emotions of the 2 opponents playing the game were. On the surface, they seem calm but I’ve always been curious about their true state of mind beneath the veneer of calmness.

At the same time, I also wonder about the chess pieces themselves. If they had emotions, what would they feel? That’s my starting point for this piece.”

 

Checkmate is a polarising situation in chess when there is surely a winner and loser. Why do you choose this situation to communicate the reality of relationships? When do you think a stalemate happens?

“I am interested in exploring the extremes emotions of relationships. I personally think a stalemate happens when a relationship ends in failure.”

 

You want to put across many intense emotions and feelings in your work. What do you want your audience to take with them after the dance?

“I’m sure every person has gone through his or her own experience of being hurt in one way or another. For me, hypocrisy and betrayal are the most complex. The audience is free to take away whatever they want from experiencing the piece.”

Checkmate was staged on Oct 10 & 11 at Esplanade’s Theatre Studio.
Photo courtesy of The Esplanade Co Ltd