This Bright Field

The world premiere of Theo Clinkard’s This Bright Field got off to a good start, with part one placing the audience on stage in the round. Being so close to the performers created a very different mood and experience, with the proximity highlighting the physicality of the movements, the sound of whipping trousers, the striking contrast between the besocked and the unbesocked.

The second part was more obtuse. Opening strongly with rumbling bass and performers clambering onto the stage and lurching towards a bright light, the disjointed dancers then failed to truly grab one’s attention. The second sequence was more arresting visually (partly due to the nudity) and some a capella singing brought a different communal tone to proceedings.

The final sequence featured some fantastic live drumming and slightly more unified dance moves in red bath mat costumes, perhaps representing adulthood or a more jovial atmosphere after more tentative beginnings. This Bright Field’s stark staging and lighting alongside subtle individual movements did little to make one feel truly immersed or moved, resulting in a show that seemed to revel in nebulous style over substance and vim.

Brighton Dome Concert Hall, 25 May 2017

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