Back at Northern Stage, it was good to see Phoenix Dance Theatre in fresh and dynamic form, presenting their latest full evening show, Inside Giovanni’s Room, choreographed by Artistic Director Marcus Jarell Willis, appointed in 2023.
Based on the book of the same name by the celebrated black American writer James Baldwin, it follows David, the lead character, in his quest to find himself and a different life from when he leaves home to his relationship with Hella, Giovanni and beyond.
Opening with a solo by David, here danced by Aaron Chaplin, we see strong choreography with a base in American modern dance, strong forms, deep curves (contractions) and turns, technically demanding and visually satisfying. The music is impressive, driving and often repressive, a mainly percussive score by Marc Strobel, which creates both energy and atmosphere. The narrative is clear—the dramaturgy by Tonderai Munyevu leaving Jarell Willis free to dig into the choreography.
A tight, well-choreographed scene portraying David’s repressive home life with his father (a drunk?) and his aunt, very well danced by Teige Bisnought and Yasmina Patel, and his first sexual encounter with another boy leads David to head for the big city and real life!
It is here he meets Hella and later Giovanni, beautifully and rather enigmatically danced by Tony Polo..
Inside Giovanni’s Room is a strong work, quite traditional in a sense, and it tackles a book that deals with highly relevant issues of racial and sexual identity and repression. So although it’s one person’s story, it is really universal. The ensemble rise to the challenge; the first club scene is fantastic with deep pulsing movement, changing patterns and the dancers' intensity and it reveals Jarell Willis's ambition to craft large-scale work with content for the company.
The second act has more duets—the opening one between Giovanni and David is really lovely and is repeated later with Hella, where dancer Hannah McGlashon really comes into her own. Dancer Dorna Ashory is delicious in her brief encounter with David.
The set by Jacob Hughes is a small room, sited centre stage surrounded by side and backdrops in abstract, almost dusky grey tones—a nowhere space. With lighting by Luke Haywood and well devised costumes by Melissa Parry, the whole evening works; Inside Giovanni’s Room is a serious, well produced, meaningful piece and the company look great on Northern Stage!
There’s one more chance to catch the show here in Newcastle tonight, and then Phoenix flies off to Birmingham Rep on 28 May 28, Liverpool Playhouse, on 5 June and Sadlers Wells 11–14 June.