| . |
| .. |
| george piper dances |
| George Piper Dances….Milton Keynes 22/6/03 The Ballet Boyz. Critics Choice ***** and Torsion Review by Mandy The whole idea of approaching five famous choreographers for five new pieces of work was brilliantly original and a prime piece of Chutzpah! Presenting each work and then highlighting it with a video clip of the choreographers in rehearsal allowed us to see how much effort went into each piece and a little of how the choreographers 'think'. Akram Khan's 'Red or White' kicked off the evening with a Kathak-inspired contemporary work, danced partially in silence, and to Mike Nunn's reading of Khan's memories of his childhood and training in Indian Classical dance. There was a little music at the end created by sound engineer 'Mukul'. Matthew Hart and William Trevitt wore Asian style-loose trousers and tunic tops; much of the dancing was at floor level with the emphasis on contemporary steps. I loved the next piece the best... 'Mesmerics' by Chris Wheeldon, Michael Nunn and Oxana Panchenko winding round and over each other in a hypnotic and repeating pattern, like sea-weed on the ocean bed, to music by Philip Glass. One lift, with Mike on the ground raising Oxana using one arm and one foot, reminded me of the Cope/Bussell lift in the central pdd in Wheeldon’s ‘Tryst’. Michael Clark, now there's a formidable character, he wouldn’t let them video the creative process, but then explained why on film, so that was equally interesting ....He’s created a dance on Billy Trevitt , to music by Satie, where balance and control are dominant .The eerie orange lighting showed up every muscle as Billy held those attitudes for seconds, minutes, hours. Wearing just a yellow bath-towel sarong and matching briefs (I peeked)… Billy had us riveted to our seats. No breaks, but straight on to Russell Maliphants ‘Trio’, danced by Nunn, Trevitt and Panchenko. Mike and Billy dance together while Oxana compliments their movements with her own. Their bodies are 'machines' moving to the futuristic music of Richard English. Shades of ‘Torsion’, which followed later. Well, after all this very serious stuff it was a pleasure to welcome Matthew Bournes ' Dearest Love'.. What a wonderfully funny look at true romance, ‘Fred and Ginger' style! I will never forget the lovesick _expression on Matt Hart's face as he gazes wistfully at the dapper figure of Michael Nunn in blazer, flannels and carefully adjusted tie! Love over the Earl Grey in china cups. The music was the Desert Island discs theme ‘By the Sleepy Lagoon’ by Eric Coates, and Noel Coward’s ‘Dearest Love’. After the interval the evening's final piece was Maliphants 'Torsion' danced by Mike and Billy to music by Richard English. The first part sounds like a kids Firework party, whoops and bangs, whizzes and laughter, while the boys windmill arms whirr around like Catherine wheels. Then ‘you think it’s all over’ but here comes the second part. There are electronic Dr Who noises, and the sounds of tropical rain forests and thunderstorms. Just right for the mesmerizing movements. This piece seemed better than ever on third viewing. The performance sucks you in, in a womb-like way, and you cannot take your eyes off the Boyz. They pivot around each other, they hold each other in impossible positions with apparent ease, their arms are a blur and they glare at you with the nonchalant arrogance of a super-human being. FANTASTIC. And great fun to meet them briefly backstage to give them their ‘Dancers Who Make Us Swoon’ shirts. Thank you Boyz and Girl(z). |