NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY WALES: 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
Thurs 28 Feb
words: GARETH LUDKIN
★★★★☆
Back where it all began in 1983, it’s fantastic to see Sherman Cymru packed to the rafters and bubbling with anticipation for the first performance of National Dance Company Wales’ 30th anniversary celebration as part of their spring tour.
Comprised of four new dance pieces, the evening’s performance provides very little time for indulgent self-reflection, and instead offers an obvious focus on the company’s great strength in depth, innovation and creativity. Three of the evening’s performances come from the company’s own choreographers, and with the inclusion of NDCW’s Associates in the celebrations, there’s plenty to suggest that there’s plenty more to look forward to from the contemporary dance scene in Wales.
First up, and a signifier of NDCW’s commitment to nurturing new talent, Orient is a short piece choreographed by NDCW dancer Chris Scott, and performed by the company’s Associate dancers (aged 14-19). Drawing obvious influence from the east, the piece beautifully utilises the incessant rhythm of Japanese drumming to create pace and fluent movement. The talent of the young dancers was admirable, and they easily kept pace with the sometimes complex choreography. It was also lovely to see such a young audience out in support.
After a short pause, Purlieus – choreographed by company dancer Lee Johnston in collaboration with lighting designer Joe Fletcher – really started to get the pulse racing with the iconoclastic electronic wizardry of Fourtet paring beautifully with Bonobo’s atmospheric production to produce a bold soundscape within which the dancers were able to move with hugely impressive strength. The inventive use of lighting design was phenomenal throughout, and it was a joy to watch the dancers play with, explore and defy the space-defining light to the captivating soundtrack.
Virtual Descent (choreographed by company dancer Eleesha Drennan) followed after the interval. Highly conceptual and focused on the “subtlety of evolution”, there was a lot to take on board, and whilst the phenomenal solos and athleticism of the dancers demonstrated some of the strongest dancing of the evening so far, it was hard to see the piece holding together as a whole.
Dream finally exploded onto the stage to complete the evening and simultaneously take the breath away of the audience with its playful exuberance, fun character and clean movements. Dream was produced by renowned choreographer Christopher Bruce for the 2012 Cultural Olympia and focusing its attentions on the dreams of competitors and performers as they strive to become the best they can be, we’re taken through a dream world of fun, expansive and athletic movement as a selection of disciplines intertwine from the playground to the spotlight. Dream proved a joyful watch just piping Purlieus, it came out on top as my favourite piece of the evening.
A phenomenal expression of creativity, flair and strength, I could only sit back in admiration of the pure talent of NDCW’s dancers following this anniversary performance. Seamlessly performed with athleticism and expression, it’s was a treat to enjoy four new pieces of work from a company near the top of their game.
Check out NDCW’s website for all the forthcoming spring tour dates. Info: www.ndcwales.co.uk