Broadway Baby review for
Danceforms' 60th International Choreographers'Showcase
by Heather Doughty on 7th
August 2012
August 2012
Holding the attention of an audience for an hour of
dance, especially with a mish-mash of different styles, can be a challenge.
Granted, this performance is a ‘showcase,’ highlighting work from multiple
‘distinguished choreographers,’ so I was expecting to see variety. However, the
end result is a show lacking identity, splattered with some shining
performances which were few and far between and I found my mind drifting off
during certain solos.
dance, especially with a mish-mash of different styles, can be a challenge.
Granted, this performance is a ‘showcase,’ highlighting work from multiple
‘distinguished choreographers,’ so I was expecting to see variety. However, the
end result is a show lacking identity, splattered with some shining
performances which were few and far between and I found my mind drifting off
during certain solos.
The show presents five unrelated, and
uneven, pieces of choreography. We are welcomed in by a solo performance by
Emma Draves who performed her mix of ballet, contemporary and classical Indian
dance with polish and beautiful control. However, the accompanying chimes of
music left me rather cold, reminding me of sounds one might hear in a spa whilst
receiving a stress relief massage. For me, the highlight of the show was a
section titled ‘Come Change,’ performed and choreographed by Vincent E. Thomas.
The only piece in the concert using text, Thomas completely drew the audience
in with his frank address and honest discussion of quotidian stereotypes and
labels. This thought-provoking monologue linked seamlessly to his movement, an
exciting fusion of street and contemporary dance. Recognizing his passionate
performance, the audience whooped and cheered as his section came to an end -
far too early for my liking. I would recommend this show if only to see his
inspiring piece of choreography.
uneven, pieces of choreography. We are welcomed in by a solo performance by
Emma Draves who performed her mix of ballet, contemporary and classical Indian
dance with polish and beautiful control. However, the accompanying chimes of
music left me rather cold, reminding me of sounds one might hear in a spa whilst
receiving a stress relief massage. For me, the highlight of the show was a
section titled ‘Come Change,’ performed and choreographed by Vincent E. Thomas.
The only piece in the concert using text, Thomas completely drew the audience
in with his frank address and honest discussion of quotidian stereotypes and
labels. This thought-provoking monologue linked seamlessly to his movement, an
exciting fusion of street and contemporary dance. Recognizing his passionate
performance, the audience whooped and cheered as his section came to an end -
far too early for my liking. I would recommend this show if only to see his
inspiring piece of choreography.
The other pieces were interesting and diverse, but didn’t strike the
same emotion for me as Thomas’ solo. There were flashes of fluidity and grace
from energetic partner work when dancers effortlessly rolled into each other’s
movements, building up a stimulating momentum. These moments were deeply
satisfying, and I was a disappointed when the energy dropped. Overall, the
concert is an enjoyable experience, full of passion and talent, yet nothing
presented was remarkably innovative. I feel Danceforms could have pushed the
boundaries further to really live up to their ‘award-winning’ hype.
same emotion for me as Thomas’ solo. There were flashes of fluidity and grace
from energetic partner work when dancers effortlessly rolled into each other’s
movements, building up a stimulating momentum. These moments were deeply
satisfying, and I was a disappointed when the energy dropped. Overall, the
concert is an enjoyable experience, full of passion and talent, yet nothing
presented was remarkably innovative. I feel Danceforms could have pushed the
boundaries further to really live up to their ‘award-winning’ hype.
