Nature has always been fertile ground for dance, the forms, functions and changes inherent in the world around us have made for evocative studies in movement over the years. Now with The Comedy of Change, Rambert Dance Company bring to the Festival Theatre a show not only reflective of the biological universe but one which looks at its underlying process – Evolution.
Taking three aspects of the evolutionary science as its basis, the similarities between species, the process of change over eras and the act of camouflage – all part of the success or otherwise of species – choreographer Mark Baldwin matches the wordless wonder of nature with movements which mimic courtship, disguise and the process of time.
To ensure that the action on stage is not merely interpretation Rambert have gone further than most dance companies in their quest for verisimilitude by co-opting the services of Professor Nicky Clayton of Cambridge University an expert in animal behaviour to advise them on the science behind the show.
Modern maestro Julian Anderson has provided the music for the piece with 12 musicians managing the thorny task of mirroring the sounds of the natural world creating mating calls of birds, animals and some imaginary or possibly future evolved creatures.
Following 2009’s celebration of 150 years since the publication of The Origin of Species, but also at a time when evolution has never been more under attack this is a timely and important performance which ties wonder with science and imagination with the empirical in a seamless and exciting blend.
A fascinating production that attempts to break down the invisible wall that separates the arts and sciences and shows that when they come together, as in this production they can compliment each other to the benefit of both.