Saturday the 6th
of July, Cloud Dance Festival: Lacuna
Two
years since Cloud Dance last provided a festival formed platform for the
abundance of emerging choreographic talent, but they returned on Saturday the 6th
of July for their second evening at the intimate Bernie Grant Arts Centre in
north London to present Lacuna, a programme highly anticipated and
certainly one of all sorts.
‘The
timeless beauty of classical technique with a passionate modern twist’ is
indeed one-way to describe Timeless, the evening’s
kick-start. The multi-talented Merritt
Moore and BalletBoyz’ Adam Kirkham embark on a passionately delicate
exploration of beautiful line and tender encounter and while doing so, astonish
with their effortless ability to achieve eloquence and vigour
simultaneously.
The spirit
of this duet brings joy in itself, yet under the light wash Moore tantalises
with her admirable poise, control and true classical line. Kirkham, not
dissimilar, impresses as a firm facilitator of strength and subtle sensitivity
as he lifts, supports and embraces Moore in a variety of manor. This divine duo achieve with great effect, a
satisfying balance of harmonious unison and daring interaction, and while
exploiting the ‘timeless beauty’ that informs much of this piece’s physical
content, the pair do well to challenge the fluidity that one might expect it to
employ.
The
stage in Gary Rowntree | Dance’s aptly titled event, The Light,
is dark and seemingly in complete abandon until a large floodlight manipulated
by a faint silhouette reveals differently. Entering from upstage the figure
slowly sheds light in to the space, and then on to what looks like a naked
body, that lay vulnerable in one corner.
The
light seems to act as a tool in revealing how one secretly lives uncomfortable
in their own skin. Oona Doherty in the most abstract fashion delivers a
stunningly intriguing performance as she delves deep in to the task of
exploring and presenting a complex humanity.
Writhing through the space like a lone animal in all manor of slides,
dives and shifts, Doherty, when the light is agile enough to capture her,
offers us not only an insight into human struggle, but also a unique
perspective on how the body continues to evolve as being a vehicle in creating
the most beautifully striking art.
Timed wisely to follow Rowntree’s mesmerising
solo is John Ross’s Wolfpack (a sneak preview). Firstly,
it is refreshing to see four male dancers own the space, even if they are
representing nothing but the typical ragged young male, but more importantly a
bit of light-hearted humour can never go a miss. This quartet begins with a
series of enticing tableaux’s, referencing with literal but quirky gesture how
the stereotypical male seems to conduct himself once under the influence.
Amongst some authentic drunk guy jigging the pack also treat us to some
glimpses of Saturday night fever which following suit with the rest of
the piece is humorous and cleverly pitched to say the least.
Kajdi’s M/S. P/E (Metamorphosis/Soldiers Poem/Experience)
unlike the concept is somewhat subtle. A large projection of the media’s take
on world issues accompanies a lone figure sat on a chair. Her multi-directional
reaches, matched carefully to the repetitive piano beat hint at a sense of
anguish and frustration. As numerous dancers appear the simple content is
repeated, developed and manipulated into various groupings.
The
second of Kajdi’s three episodes is perhaps the best. Two black clad male
dancers with satisfying energy, athleticism and precision invade the space as
they revolve, lift, fly and jump. The duet with resembling regimentation speaks
effectively of the experiences of being a soldier.
A
single silhouette proceeds to escalate into a stage full of two-toned green
dresses as the cast of Hannah Saotome’s Sombras do Tempo (shadows
of time) revel in presenting a range of interestingly designed formations,
intriguing gestures and dynamically fluid movement patterns.
Effective
tools are used on the part of Saotome, which achieve some unique physical,
visual and musical happenings. The dancers unite in attaining a sound technical
ability, which they deliver with both power and elegance. To end the costumes
are removed leaving the collective vulnerable as they resemble with clarity,
one’s sense of purity and self.
Seemingly
the most anticipated event of the night was Raymond Chai’s Unbroken
Silence. Melanie Lopez and Oliver Freeston battle
with power and passion against a constant flux of ‘attraction and rejection’.
Demonstrated by both is Chai’s masterful desire for impeccable technique, but
that said there is no hindrance to the quirky contemporary visual. The music,
which has a way of invading the theatre, replicates Lopez and Freeston’s
captivating presence. The piece ends as
the pair, like magnets, reluctantly force themselves to repel and part
ways.
Profusely
leaking from James Finnemore’s In The Dry is Maturity and modest
sophistication. Each time initiated by a hunched back and a slow descent,
Finnemore subsides to the pull of gravity and then clambers to his feet to
start the process again. With his Schechter experiences firmly in tact,
Finnemore seamlessly pervades the space, creating a somewhat mysterious but
gentle atmosphere for the onlooker. Playing up to nobody and refreshingly in
sync with his inner dynamism, he effective creates a presence that coupled with
a rich multitude of physicality makes for a mesmerizing and winning work.
To
draw a close to the evening, John Ross returns to present his Solo, Man
Down. A striking performance is delivered as Ross tells of ‘a true story of a soldier sent to
Afghanistan who never came back’. With clarity and truthful gesture we are
given insight into a world where one braves an every day storm on the front line
to protect his country, and then for him and those around, we see the
consequences. Gunshots and news reports make for a realistic audio
accompaniment and as the tension builds, in both movement and atmosphere, it
can’t be helped but to ponder about the many to whom we owe are own lives.
Despite
the somewhat gloomy ending, an enjoyable evening was had all round. The
programme offered something to all and the choreographic and performance talent
was outstanding. Cloud Dance evidently returned with a promise to please, and
that they certainly did.
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