Dance Reviews 2006
ABALINO DANCE THEATRE - Bobroshkov's Dream and Other Stories...
This is a belated review of one of the prize-winning entries on the 2006 Fringe. Unfortunately the performance our reviewer was to see was cancelled and no substitute was arranged at the time.
Bobroshkov's Dream and Other Stories are enchanting and affecting tales about growing old, told through an inspired fusion of dance, mime and puppetry. An old man, struggling now with putting his slippers on, remembers a time when he could dance. A weary traveller puts down the load of his lifetime and metamorphoses before our eyes.
The performers of the Abalino Dance Theatre literally wear their puppets, and in so doing become at once the puppeteer and the puppet. Sometimes there are two dancers to one puppet; sometimes two puppets to one dancer. It is most intriguing and engaging.
I hope this company returns next year with more of their innovative and magical theatre.
Barbara Wilson
SPLIT SOUL DANCE THEATRE - The Dreaming Tree
Underground Venues, The Pauper's Pit
16, 19, 20 & 22 July
There isn't much dance on the Fringe and so it's a pity that this show was squeezed into the small performance space of the Pauper's Pit with its concrete floor!
On offer is a sequence of three dances taken from a longer sequence called "The Dreaming Tree" - which is the title of the last dance of the full sequence and uses the song of the same title by the Dave Matthews Band.
The sequence doesn't have a narrative in the sense that a story is told or characters develop - it is more an examination of emotional responses and the dances invite individual and alternative interpretations rather than insisting on the performers' own.
The first of the three dances in this show uses a song by Tori Amos, "Me and a gun". It is a slow, tortured song exposing both the singer and the dancer. It calls for control and bravery to begin with this piece. Using just a chair, a cigarette and a lighter for props, Julia Barnett captures attention immediately.
Twins, Sarah and Amy Way, dance the second dance - using Naomi Wright's song "Falling". The dance is the least direct of the three and offers something of their experience of being twins.
"Stay" - another Dave Matthews song - is the music for the final dance. This is much higher in terms of energy levels and involves all three dancers in more celebratory mood.
I think Split Soul won't mind my saying that these are vulnerable and imperfect dances presented in an intimate environment. If you see them encourage Julia, Sarah and Amy to talk about their work at the end of the show.
Keith Savage
SENSATIONAL SALSA - Jasofula Latin Band
Railway Hotel, 14 Jul, 8pm-midnight
Beginners and seasoned salsa dancers alike had a ball at Sensational Salsa's party night at the Railway Hotel.
For beginners, and to break the ice, Sensational Salsa's Linval and Justine led a follow-the-leader style workshop demonstrating all the basic steps of salsa - forward and back, side to side, turns and more. A handy track with the counting sounded out helped newcomers keep the beat.
By the time the band got into its stride, the party was in full swing. Indeed this was a sell-out event and the dance floor was packed - though thanks to sensible restrictions on numbers, never too packed. The Manchester outfit Jaso Fula, led by a German-born Ghanaian, Dr Henry Brew, and featuring rich vocals from Vinetta Holness, proved a big hit providing music that had everyone on their feet, even though the funky rhythms were at times quite challengingly fast!
By popular request, Linval and Justine offered one of their remarkable salsa demonstrations. Sinuous Justine, in impossibly high-heeled sparkly red espadrilles, a tiny, diaphanous top and white trousers, danced with grace and athleticism allowing herself to be twirled unfeasibly often and seemingly wholly at ease whether being flung into the air or slid onto the floor for Linval to step over in some extraordinary salsa moves that had us all gasping.
A memorable evening, this popular event may well have inspired some more people to take up salsa. Happily Buxton can oblige: Sensational Salsa runs classes every Tuesday night at the Railway Hotel, 7.30pm for beginners and 8.30pm for improvers. Call 0796 6004810 for further information.
Stephanie Billen