Runs until 2nd January@Festival Theatre
This post-Christmas selection box at the Festival Theatre has enough bite sized treats of dance to satisfy any fan and its remit to show the diversity of dance talent on offer in Scotland is well and truly fulfilled.
There were no weak sections but by mixing styles and content there were always going to be parts that stood out more than others. Halflight, the second piece, a haunting and powerful example of the strength and athleticism of the dancers art was one example. Jennifer Patterson winding and unwinding her frame up and down a long length of cloth whilst Daniel Aing and Tony Mills sprung agressively around the stage created a genuine sense of drama and wonder.
The other standout of the first half was Paisley Patter, performed to the songs of Ivor Culter and wittily choreographed by Ashley Page. Cutler’s work has been described as having a Grey abandon and the dancers mangaged to perfectly convey the cloudy surrealistic humour of the lyrics.
The second half was more hit and miss, Mark Morris’s piece was surprisingly flat and Gemmils Goal didn’t reach the witty heights of its original outing, but things got back on track with the comic switch up of Scot Wi Hay which took a gentle poke at the village hall dance.
The finale featuring a mix by DJ Dolphin boy of Calvin Harris, Franz Ferdinand, The Rezillos and Hugh McDairmid could have been a messy failure but like a well made haggis the unlikely ingredients came together brilliantly.
This is an interesting, intelligent take on Scottish dance and culture. Not everything will blow you away but there’s enough in there to set even the most cynical foot tapping. As the show ends with an impromptu ceilidh it might also be advisable to bring along your dancing shoes.