If his more recent works are Hollywood blockbusters, Matthew Bourne’s Early Adventures is more like quaint, arthouse cinema (a metaphor that seems very apt regarding Bourne’s filmic inspirations). The whole evening has a gentle feel, more subdued and less emotionally diverse than Bourne’s full length productions. This is presumably attributed to the fact that all three works deal more with concepts and ideas opposed to narrative storylines (which more naturally lend themselves to an emotional journey), however this style of choreography brings its own charm, creating a light-hearted and relaxed atmosphere. (more…)
March 12, 2017
Matthew Bourne’s Early Adventures, Oxford Playhouse, 7th March 2017 – Emily May reviews
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: contemporary dance, Early Adventures, Emily May, Matthew Bourne, Oxford Playhouse, The Infernal Galop, Town and Country, Watch with Mother |Leave a Comment
July 24, 2016
Women GOLive, Old Fire Station Oxford, 16th July 2016 – Emily May reviews
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: Aliki Mbakoyianni, Anja Meinhardt, Arts at The Old Fire Station, Catrin Lewis, Cecilia Macfarlane, Donald Hutera, Emily May, Ffin Dance, Jaqueline Johnson, Julian Lewis, Lorna V, Mara Vivas, My Johansson, Remember to Remember, Roosa Leimu-Brown, Sarah Kent, Sue Lewis, Women GOlive |[2] Comments
The Times dance critic Donald Hutera’s 4-day festival of contemporary dance concludes with an eclectic array of diverse and dynamic performances. The final evening showcases some of the highlights from previous nights of the four-day festival, yet also introduces new works for the audience to experience for the first time in this central Oxford venue.
The show on the mainstage of the Old Fire Station is preluded by informal installation Remember to Remember choreographed by Mara Vivas. As the audience enter the intimate space, they are encouraged by a written sign to “touch, watch, listen, write.” These instructions are somewhat ambiguous, yet the dancers’ (Vivas herself accompanied by My Johansson) perform with an openness that invites spectators to participate. (more…)
June 30, 2016
C-A-G-E-D: Thomas Page Dances, Laban Studio Theatre, London, Thursday 16th June 2016 – Emily May reports
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: Authentic Performance Academy, C-A-G-E-D, Ching-a-ling, contemporary dance, Emily May, Iona McGuire, Lunas Dance Project, Thomas Page, Trinity Laban Conservatoire |1 Comment
“The psychology of oppression is thus self-inflicted in a constant struggle where man hypocritically creates standards of life that they themselves perpetually contradict” – Duane Campbell
C-A-G-E-D is the recent, ambitious choreographic debut from aspiring choreographer Thomas Page. Originally from Oxford – having taken class with Lunas Dance Project – Page is now a contemporary dance student at the renowned Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. However, despite relocating, Page stays committed to the Oxford dance scene by commuting back to his hometown at the weekend to teach dance at Authentic Performance Academy.
Thomas is an individual with guts and motivation, having approached the conservatoire’s Student Union at the beginning of his first year, asking for support in producing a full length dance work to explore his interest in the psychology of oppression. It was on 16th and 17th June that this ambition manifested itself in reality, and Page presented his work in the Laban Studio Theatre, costumed and lit. It was performed by a quintet of diverse and mesmerising dancers – all students of Trinity Laban aside from Iona McGuire, a prospective student of London Contemporary Dance School. (more…)
April 17, 2016
Swing – Fishamble at Oxford Playhouse 16th April 2016 – Emily May reviews
Posted by susiecrow under reviews | Tags: Arthur Riordan, Emily May, Fishamble, Gene Rooney, Oxford Playhouse, Oxford Swing Dance, play, Swing |1 Comment
“Swing is a comedy about dancing”. Fishamble’s international hit refreshingly explores the nature of dance comically through the eyes of a different art form, reminding the dancers and dance enthusiasts among us of the true values of movement. Not a perfectly aligned arabesque, but communication, escapism and fun.
The play begins suddenly and humorously, as the double act (Arthur Riordan and Gene Rooney) enter through the audience, asking spectators “is this Swing?” subsequently unloading their bike helmets and bags onto the stage from their supposed commutes. This opening sets the tone for whole production, as throughout the performance the actors involve and directly address the audience. In their roles as the larger than life hosts of a Swing Dance society, they welcome the audience with black humour – “we’re all swingers here!” – and perform demonstrations of humorous dance steps, including monkey walks and “fish bums.” This use of direct address is engaging and transforms audience members from their status as theatre-goers in the Oxford Playhouse, to attendees of a swing dance class in an unspecified area of the Republic of Ireland. (more…)
April 11, 2016
Silkscreen/Machine for “Warhol Late” at The Ashmolean Museum, 7th April 2016 – choreographer Emily May reports
Posted by susiecrow under reviews, What's happening | Tags: Andy Warhol, Ashmolean Museum, Claire Peers, contemporary dance, Emily May, Reuben Woodall, Silkscreen/Machine, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Warhol Late |[2] Comments
“I want everybody to think alike… It’s happening here all by itself without being under a strict government; so if it’s working without trying, why can’t it work without being Communist? Everybody looks alike and acts alike, and we’re getting more and more that way. I think everybody should be a machine.” – Andy Warhol
On Thursday 7th April, The Ashmolean Museum opened its doors after hours for “Warhol Late” – a celebration of the recent Andy Warhol: Works from the Hall Collection exhibition. The evening event transported visitors back to 1960s New York by transforming the Ashmolean’s café into an underground “Factory Party”. The party was an eclectic array of happenings and performances inspired by Warhol; DJs, a “Warhol yourself” station kitted out with a variety of wigs, a silent disco, participatory screen tests… and contemporary dance. (more…)