|
Links
Articles
News
Reviews
Amateur
Theatre
Contact
Other
Resources
|
Fringe 2009 Reviews (2)
Appel/Ring Cycle
Company Decalage/Shamita Ray
Dance Base, Grassmarket
***
Two pieces presented, a duet and a solo, with Company Decalage's Appel
to begin. Navala Chaudhari's fluid, undulating form snakes and ripples
over the floor challenging Mikael Marso Riviere to respond with movement
combined and inspired by Bboyin, Capoeira and contemporary dance. The
pair become a corresponding duologue over the Jason Kalidas' persuasive
percussion, and the playful energy becomes an attraction. Beautifully
performed and compelling to watch. Solo performer Shamita Ray presents
Ring Cycle in the second half, 'taking inspiration from the rings
in a tree'. A light piece, retaining some of the classical ballet of
her training, which lacks the impact of the first piece. However, it
is stunningly lit by Prema Mehta and worth seeing for that alone.
Cecily Boys
The Shade Ain't Right
The Lincoln Company
C soco
***
In the backstage dressing room of at 1920s bar three girls vie for
position of lead singer and prejudice underpins it all. This small student
company of four present an absorbing story line about the complexities
of multi-leveled racism, and the 'brown paper bag' test, where girls
were judged not just by being black but even by the different tones
of their skin. Bitter Rita asks 'How Black is too Black?' when she finds
herself in competition with half-white Jenna for the solo spot. An composite
performance by the actress playing Rita, presenting a manipulative but
understandable character under the pressures of her time. Despite some
wayward American accents this is nice little nugget of theatre which
quickly wiles away 50 minutes.
Cecily Boys
Something About Others
NYD in Association With New English Contemporary Ballet
Dance Base, Grassmarket
*****
Four fascinating pieces presented from the NYD in association with
the NECB, by young, student performers with great flair and commitment.
Whilst the performances are delightful to watch, it is the outstanding
choreography by Jamie Thomson, Benoit Egloff and Richard Wherlock that
is so stunning. The opening piece, Something About Others, telling
the tale of two otherworldly beings, is breath-takingly presented with
flair and powerful presence, the performance is both ethereal and real,
and you just don't want it to end. Frontier is a a duo in which
the two dancers explore sharing the space and find they must sacrifice
something in order to dance together. Expertly danced by Benoit Egloff,
Sidewinding is a precisely balanced, unrelentingly poised powerful
piece, winding the movements of a sidewinding snake around the stage
with unforgiving presence. Ending with the witty and stylish Out
of Darkness, the company join in a playful reflection on coming
out, with the boys in skirts blown by prevailing wind. Only on until
the 16th, for all NECB fans this is fantastically crafted, beautifully
presented show and certainly not one to miss.
Cecily Boys
Next
page - - - Index
|
