THE BLACK SAINT & THE SINNER LADY

In a week where I saw a play about the lack or suppression of joy in our modern lives it was so uplifting to not only watch but feel that you are a part of something so supremely joyous. This wasn’t just theatre, or dance, or a concert, this was a truly uplifting and immersive experience, from the very moment you stepped into the vast open space of the Corn Exchange which for this enterprise had been laid out like a dance hall, members of the company engaged with the audience, helping us find our seats, asking us if we knew much or anything about what was about to take place. It was a delight, and all this before even a word had been spoken or a note played.

Our host for the evening took to the platform and started to welcome us and explain that we were invited to join in, when instructed, and to follow the dancers as they guided and moved things along.

In the first half the quite extraordinarily accomplished  Nu Civilisation Orchestra performed three shorter works, Let’s Lime by Romarna Campbell,  Slow Dance by Peter Edwards and Cripps Yard by Paul Clark. And before long the sold out room was almost entirely up on its collective feet and dancing. I was filled with both joy and with sadness. Seeing so many people of all ages take to the floor and dance, no matter what their abilities, but just embracing the moment and the music, some with their partners and others led out onto the floor by the professional dancers. My sadness came from my inability, for mobility reasons, to get up and join in. I loved to dance and now I cannot, but it did not stop me from moving, in a limited manner, in my seat.

The evening is the creation of a group called Clod Ensemble, part dance, part theatre, part… well part what we make of it, and I have to say that the Brighton audience made the very most of it. It was as fascinating to see the excellence of the professional dancers as to watch the audience, some of whom were clearly excellent movers, some less so, but whatever all swept along on a wave of joy and delight. My friend, Ms W, despite recovering from foot surgery, took off her shoes and joined in!

After a short interval the company returned to perform the title piece, a work composed or should I say created, by jazz genius and legendary bass player Charles Mingus. This complex composition draws global musical influences, in moments mournful New Orleans funereal themes, in others quick fire Spanish flamenco, all stirred together in a vast work that at times is delicate and wistful, at others explosive.

The score is a transcription, a work of incredible skill, undertaken by ear, by the orchestras musical director Gary Crosby. He explains at the start that it was a long task and that in places he has left space for his musicians to improvise, as no doubt Mingus would have done.

The musicianship was second to none, blistering solos, fine ensemble playing and from my memory an excellent rendering of the original recording. The atmosphere in the room was euphoric, a sea of bodies fully immersed in the whole.

To this of course you have to add the dancers, Rambert some, and others I believe. And what talent, a lanky red blazered guy who clearly had no bones, flinging his body around with what seemed like abandon, but clearly not. A red evening gloved willowy figure whose fingers were an act of genius choreography alone, and a silver creature whose sensuous movements were hypnotic… too many brilliant performers to pull out each but please see below a full account of them all.

This has to be the best immersive event since that stunning Cherry Orchard in the old Co-Op some years ago, very different of course, but consuming the audience with the same intensity.

Here are the names of all the performers, behind the scenes a vast array of talents, too many to include and for that I apologise.

Host

Chloe Carterr

Dance Artists

Claire Cunningham, Robert Dunkley-Gyimah, Valerie Ebuwa, Mia

Pereira-Mendoza, Rachele Rapisardi, Leo Wallen, Maycie-Ann St-

Louis, Faye Stoeser, Fukiko Takase, Kenny Wing Tao Ho

Dance Artists (Rambert School)

Camilla Balducci, Finlay Bergius, Helena Hörmann, James

Mawson, Alyssa James, Denise Leong, Daisy Oteng-Boateng,

Olivia Wardle

Nu Civilisation Orchestra

Gary Crosby Artistic Director / Bass

Peter Edwards Music Director / Piano

Becca Toft Lead Trumpet

Mark Kavuma Trumpet

Anoushka Nanguy Trombone

Hanna Mbuya Bass Trombone and Tuba

Donovan Haffner Alto Sax

David Kayode Tenor Sax

Allexa Nava Baritone Sax and Flute

Ash Blasse Guitar

Rod Youngs Drums

Tom Sheen Double bass (first half)

Andrew Kay

Brighton Dome Corn Exchange

16 May

Rating: