BalletBoyz The Talent 2013

The addition of two short film interviews with both choreographers of the evening’s two works was a fascinating insight into the creative process that went into both Serpent and Fallen. Liam Scarlett’s Serpent is a lyrical work in which the ten dancers perform in a sensuous and sinuous harmony. Max Richter’s score is rich and easy on the ear and the near naked bodies of the boyz are pretty easy on the eye too. Against this there is a sharpness that comes from exquisite precision, the movement of groups of men around the stage as if they are one or at least operated by one mind, which of course in a way they are, the mind of the choreographer. Their movements make the most of the complex variety of disciplines this extraordinary company bring to the stage but the overall feeling is classical.

In sharp contrast Russell Maliphant’s Fallen is a ritualistic, almost pagan, celebration of strength. Amran Amar’s heavy drum based score has an animalistic force, an aggression that is barely suppressed throughout in both the music and the movement. And what movement, the dancers merge into one energetic form, then break out into smaller groups and patterns, swelling and tensing like muscles under pressure.

The two works are so sharply contrasted that each of the superb dancers is pushed to their very limits, a fact not missed by an audience that seemed to live the tension, especially of the second piece.

Michael Nunn and William Trevitt’s BalletBoyz bring to the stage of the Dome a dance experience that would excite almost any audience.

Dome Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 29 January 2013

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