@ Traverse Theatre until Thu 18 Feb 2016; and
@ Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock on Fri 19 Apr 2016; and
@ Eden Court, Inverness on Fri 29 Apr 2016
Scottish Dance Theatre’s Double Bill consists of two short pieces that couldn’t be more dissimilar. Black versus white, dark versus light, but both interested in the thin line between fantasy and reality. The versatile dancers shape-shift from Anton Lachky’s wild and witty Dreamers into the erotically charged collaboration by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar Process Day. The future-ready company, under the direction of Fleur Darkin, are fresh, relevant and innovative and as they celebrate thirty years, we get an insight of what to expect over the years to come.
Brightly dressed, in suits and dresses, the dancers begin with solo performances, nominating each other to step out of line and share the unique ways in which their bodies move, and some dancers really take this opportunity to show off. In this fast, physical piece they exaggerate every move, and use facial expression for comedic effect. Twisting and jerking to the music of Verdi, Bach, Chopin and Vanhal they are perfectly synchronised in this quirky, quick-paced piece. They control each other in duets in a vibrant expression of what it’s like to be human, to dream, to be the puppeteer/director/conductor of your life. The piece is imaginative and colourful, but the hints of humour turn too silly and nonsensical towards the end, as the dancers silence is broken with screeching, cackling and jibberish.
After the interval, day turns into night for the second piece. The dancers emerge through the dim spotlight as mere bodies, less human and somewhat otherworldly. Here there is no beginning-middle-end but a continuous story about time, feelings and instinct. Inspired by Tizrah and Micachu’s track I’m Not Dancing, the sleek dancers surrender themselves to the techno score. Their animalistic movements are minimalistic but overpowering. The dancers have one pulse, shared with their audience. Lurking in the shadows, the androgynous performers, in two tone unitards contort their bodies in this passionate, emotional performance. They tremble and thrust, creating tableaux through the smoke. Bold, dark, intense, we are immersed into a repetitive, cult-like ritual.