Darkness. A beam of light. In the haze, five bodies start to move as one.
Opto Nano explores the research of Professor Paola Borri, an academic at Cardiff University specialising in cellular imaging techniques. Jack Philp Dance’s newest production is striking and avant-garde – offering creative insights into the scientific process with Philp’s cast of five acting as a cell culture undergoing scientific investigation.
The place where the two fields of science and art intersect is arguably where the most exciting contemporary work is happening in theatre, and a visceral passion for both informs every aspect of Opto Nano. A heavily cerebral piece, asking you to interpret the links between cellular biology and human dance, there’s no need to understand the science going in – the performance is followed by a post-show Q&A where Borri is present to discuss her research – but you may gain something extra from already knowing a little about her work.
Barnaby Booth and Joshua Harriette’s lighting is remarkable, reflecting the lights and the lasers of nanoimaging technology and using them to drive the show’s narrative. The gradual shift from narrow to open light takes us on a journey through many spaces, the large white floor becoming petri dish, laboratory, and playground.
The dance, too, becomes more dynamic as the experimentation period progresses and understanding of cellular networks grows. Partly improvised and partly set, Philp’s choreography is mesmeric; utilising Borri’s understanding of cell imaging and scientific data to present us with a living, breathing cell culture.
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The cell culture itself is made up of an ensemble of skilful and animated performers. Reflecting Philp’s interpretation of cellular life, each performer brings their own unique energy while staying stylistically connected to the group – the same but different, like every cell. Gaia Cicolani and Chelsea Gordon move with softness and precision; their sequences together are especially beautiful. Rose Lewis comes at the work with ferocity and dynamism, her solo work a highlight; Fern Grimbley’s fluid, expressive movements offer firm support that underpins the ensemble as a whole.
The beginning of the performance, while fascinating to watch, does seem a little slow to start. If this is reflective of the process of starting work in a lab, the latter part of the show is vibrant, joyous and worth the wait as any scientific endeavour. This joyful quality is due in no small part to R. Seiliog’s excellent soundtrack. In parts clinical, in parts magical, his bassy, atmospheric composition accompanies the performance without distracting from the visual spectacle. Opto Nano is very definitely experimental, in form and inspiration: I’m excited to see where Jack Philp Dance takes us next.
Opto Nano is in Pontio, Bangor on Thurs 7 Apr. Info: here. An Immersive Digital version, sporting a combination of augmented reality and live performance, is in Cultvr Lab, Cardiff on Sat 30 Apr. Info: here
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 19 Mar
words HARI BERROW
