Manifesto

From the first shocking punch of sound and movement there is not a moment that is not filled with a triumph of coordinated expression. The nine drummers use the diverse possibilities of their kits to create everything from thunder to a fairy tinkle of sound. Each drummer has a moment to highlight their skills and the ensemble is fully coordinated so at times it is as if a single drum is creating a theatre full of sound.

And then there are the nine dancers. Their plain white costumes against the striking semicircular deep cerise risers for the drummers create vivid shapes. The company is uniformly highly skilled and as a group and separately they entertain and beguile. There is drama and humour and cheeky engagement with the audience.

The individual dancers all had a time to shine and they created a luminous glowing whole. The work in ensemble was as tight as any Swan Lake and the work in pairs and triplets took the audience’s breath away. This is modern dance with a satisfying fusion of skill, expression and emotion.

The lighting seamlessly supported the performers without intruding. There were impeccably timed spotlights for the drummers as the sound rolled between the drummers and sensitive, responsive lighting of the stage.

The audience soberly engaged with the more emotive episodes and then burst with laughter and hooted and whooped as the mood changed. The dramatic build towards the end was entirely satisfying and the standing ovation at the end of the show was a fitting recognition of the performers’ work.

Ruth Richter

Photographer: Sam Roberts