Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sat 19 Nov – run ended
In recent years, Liv Lorent has choreographed some of the most stunningly emotive dance pieces in Scotland. Fusing music, lighting and dance, she creates an immersive piece where her performers appear not to follow strict choreographed routines, but skilfully and passionately react to the music. With her new production la nuit intime (the intimate night), she creates a pensive and romantic package, that was sadly let down by her choice of venue.
Tucked away in the smoky and hardly recognisable Traverse Theatre bar, it almost feels as if we’re in some dingy backstreet basement. Mingling their way through the busy bar, the delicate dancers use six separate spaces to perform solo, group and seductive duets. Various costumes are donned and peeled off as the troupe quickly transform their styles from Cabaret to Hip-Hop, Flamenco to Ballet and then back again. During the epic two and a half hour show we are told to ‘come as we please’ and ‘watch what we want’, as various performances are dotted throughout the room.
As ingenious as this sounds, giving the audience the choice of what to watch becomes problematic, as the dancers quickly become engulfed by hordes of people. Coupled with some of the action, lost behind the layout of the bar itself, it soon becomes very difficult to see what’s going on. Although you have the option of leaving, it feels rude to even consider, as the dancers are all around you. Dream-like and ethereal, Lorent’s piece feels more like an art installation than contemporary dance piece. However, the poor sight-lines along with its duration leaves this production feeling arduous and, at times, a tad disappointing.