Introducing one of our volunteer dance reviewers, Jazmine Watts-Moast:
I graduated from Falmouth University in 2016 with a BA (Hons) in dance and performance. Since graduating I have been pursuing a dance career as a freelance dance practitioner teaching and performing within the South West of England.
Review of The Rising | Heather Walrond Company
by Jazmine Watts-Moast
Wednesday 17 October 2018 at The Arts Institute, University of Plymouth
3 words that I would use to describe Heather Walrond Company’s ‘The Rising’ are exhilarating, powerful and passionate.
The use of having a live band really expands the energy of any piece of dance, and the rhythms they were using in ‘The Rising’ makes you want to get up and dance, bringing a sense of community to the performers and inclusion with the audience as you just can’t help but boogie along to it in your seat.
As this piece is influenced by Walrond’s experience of dance forms in Fiji, the movement moves from intricate to almost tribal as the energy is ramped up and the performers are in the depth of the piece creating noises and sounds like those of a warrior, creating an exhilarating experience for the audience. The intricacy of the performer’s relationships to one another, to the lifts and movement they use, alongside the music make it a very powerful piece and something I came away thinking about for hours after- a true sign of seeing something exceptional.
As this piece explores a couple’s life in a long lasting relationship, it felt like the performers were letting us in on an important part of their life, almost like confiding in a friend. This piece is a true celebration of dance, particularly contemporary dance, as Walrond represents a new generation of contemporary choreographers that want more from their work. The piece tells a story and has a voice – it shows us what being human means and I think that is more important now more than ever with the prevalence of technology, where people are making less and less connections to one another. Walrond has also brought another culture, another world to show us on stage with different sounds, different ways of moving and speaking, making it truly unique. I have seen a lot of live contemporary dance in and out of theatres, and this is definitely one that has stuck in my mind and one to look out for. Please, if you get the chance, go and see it, you will come out feeling enriched with a positive outlook on life, you won’t regret it.
Top Image: Heather Walrond Company