The Grand Theatre was the venue for this outstanding performance of contemporary dance on 18 March. The performers featured were, The Thomas Noone Dance Company, Company Chameleon and Norrdans. Sadly, they performed to a small audience, but, as contemporary dance has appeal to a limited audience this was probably to be expected.
The first half of the show opened with the raw and dynamic Brutal Love Poems from the Thomas Noone Dance Company. This abstract, non-narrative work was of a slower pace and featured a variety of music , from a sound similar to a bow being dragged across a rusty saw, through to twinkling notes and the gentle twanging of a guitar. This provided an excellent background to an extremely evocative, provoking and sensual piece of dance. The tilt of the raked stage gave the performance depth and perspective.
The second performance of the evening was Push from Company Chameleon. Described as athletic and sensitive, this duet continued a conversation that began in childhood between artists Anthony Missen and Kevin Edward Turner. At times dark, it focused on the complex nature of our psychology, and examined the quality of touch and its physical and emotional resonance as at times we push to exert our control and dominance, but also, on occasion submit and yield to others.
The second half comprised a stunning performance of The Beautiful Beast by Norradans. This fairytale-like performance which featured ‘magical horses, goddesses, warriors and fires’, was accompanied by the music of the Scandanavian folk band Gjallahorn. Choreographer, Thomas Noone said that upon hearing their music he was ‘taken to a mythical world at once very old and also timeless, ancient and contemporary’. This creation was his attempt at an atemporal tale through dance to compliment their soundscape. He thought of a fabulous animal, something primeval and visceral that communicates through movement. Something that longs to be free yet requires connection to others. In other words, a beautiful beast. The music and movement throughout this piece was livelier than that in the other performances, yet still strangely evocative. This powerful performance concluded the show and, even though we were a small audience the applause was thunderous.
For fans of contemporary dance this show is one to see. To book tickets for a season of contemporary dance at The Grand, including The Beautiful Beast, visit the website.
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