Introducing one of our volunteer dance reviewers, Ami Fullalove:
After graduating from Masters Performing Arts College in Essex, Ami appeared in many professional productions before settling in Devon to become a Business Relationship Manager within a wholesale dancewear company where she organised an annual conference for dance teachers at the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London. After realising her love of Event organising Ami moved to a company to coordinate training for Social Workers. Missing the world of Dance Ami is thrilled to be reviewing dance productions for Dance in Devon.
Review of Rambert | by Ami Fullalove
Monday 14 October 2019 at Theatre Royal Plymouth
PreSentient – Wayne McGregor
Rouge – Marion Motin
In your rooms – Hofesh Shechter
This triple bill opens with PreSentient a commission by Wayne McGregor in 2002.
One lone dancer on the apron of the stage performing wonderfully fluid movements showing off her flexible long limbs alongside the calm space like music gave an almost alien feel to this piece. She joined 11 other dancers costumed in simple lilac tunics as the music changed to harsh string sounds in complete contrast to the beautiful start to this work ‘creating a sense of unresolved, restless apprehension’. However, showing off the strength and flexibility of the dancers, this piece seemed to look slightly under rehearsed.
The second performance, Rouge by Marion Motin. With a fashion and music film background, this piece presented her cool effortless hip-hop influences throughout. The use of dry ice in this production was not only for effect and ambiance but became a prop, hiding the dancers and almost being a part of their costumes. The single live guitarist set stage right throughout as dry ice constantly cascaded from his hat was a great addition. The dancers’ movements were versions of hip hop styles, using popping and locking steps as a motif throughout. Lighting was simple but extremely effective in giving a feeling of time rushing past which helped the dancers show pace. Extreme flashing towards the end made you feel relieved when the performance finished. However I found elements of fun within the choreography and it strangely made me smile throughout the performance.
In your rooms by Hofesh Shechter ended this triple bill with an extremely powerful production. I say production as lighting, music, staging, and performance all worked together like clockwork throughout this piece. A live percussive band set high on the back drop of the stage was not a distraction but a perfect duet with the 12 dancers. The lighting was intriguing, the precision of the dancers jumping onto a pitch black stage to be perfectly lit in one small area over and over was in itself jaw dropping. Shechter’s musicality was evident throughout, having written the music as well as the choreography he was able to produce an extremely rhythmic performance.
A wonderful evening of dance, music and staging. Rambert never disappoints.
Main Image: Rambert