Beginning with the deep rhythmic chants of Buddhist monks, following with such songs as: ‘Freak Out’ by Chic, ‘Brick House’ by The Commodores, ‘Push it’ by Salt-n-Pepa and then ending with a beat box/ drum ‘n bass war, this show did not fail to delight, surprise and entertain. It’s the product of Marco Gerris. Born in the Philippines and raised in Belgium, Gerris found there was a lack of creativity in the shows he was involved in. He searched for something that would appeal to his own generation and thus, at the age of 23, he founded ISH. No longer 23, he told me his troupe is made up of more than 40 performers, ranging in age from 22 to 34. “I’m somewhere in between”, he smiled.

ISH is so named as it is a mix of musical genres, creative dance and styles. 4-ISH being the 4th incarnation of Gerris’ dream. The show is a mix of martial arts, slapstick, street dance, acrobatics, ballet, break dancing, video , DJ stylings, beatbox and even an inline skating competition (with two massive ramps no less!). Gerris is, by the way, a former Belgium skating champion (He began with figure skating but then found inline skating of more interest). All this, put together with various musical beats will have you shakin’ your booty. I know I did!

Photo: Serge Ligtenberg

This sold-out event attracted everyone: young and old alike. Audience members included children as young as five, teens and adults. While attending a show with young children is not usually my preference, you couldn’t hear a pin drop as ISH performed some of their more difficult feats. Peels of young laughter were the only thing to grace this performance. Not surprising, as Gerris, now living in Amsterdam and has created a Junior-ISH group in the hopes of developing further creative talent in the younger generation. Having grown up playing a variety of musical instruments, he wants to teach them the skills to explore their own imagination, whether it is through the violin, tap, dance, skating etc., He elaborated, “We encourage them. They create everything themselves: stage production, posters, lighting, signs, pr...”

Having the good luck to attend a video interview with him and Stir Magazine, the interviewer Birgit Moenke, referred to the book, ‘The Secret’, asking Gerris what his Secret was. He responded, “It’s no secret. Its finding yourself, thinking about what you want. Of course, you have to think positive (sic), but that is too easy to say. You have to find a balance. It’s a lot of work.” Yes it is, and ISH made the work look completely effortless. I encourage anybody to catch this show.

Watch the trailer