Hull New Theatre – until 2nd March 2024
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
5*****
Last night at Hull New Theatre we were treated to a masterclass in dance. Dance Consortium have brought a diverse range of productions with different of dance styles to Hull in the last few years and last night we were treated to the São Paulo Dance Company, who are on their UK and Ireland Premiere Tour, they are company from Brazil who blend classical ballet and contemporary dance with the styles of their homeland. There is only really one word to describe what we saw on stage and that is stunning!
We watched 3 fabulous dances over the course of the night.
Anthem (from 2019) with Choreography by Goyo Montero and Music by Owen Belton. Danced by 14 dancers, this piece “reflects on life cycles and collective identities” and it was “inspired by songs that become hymns -anthems- for an individual, a group, a generation or a nation”. It was very atmospheric and powerful piece of theatre. The dancers were fluid with fabulous technique and the simple and effective costumes (Goyo Montero e Fábio Namatame) showed the dancers movement and lines.
Gnawa (from 2009) with Choreography by Nacho Duato and Music by Hassan Hakmoun, Adam Rudolph, Juan Alberto Arteche, Javier Paxariño, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Velez, Kusur and Sarkissian. It is a “dance work under the spell of the hypnotic, ritualistic music of North Africa” This is also a very powerful piece of work. The music was hypnotic and the dancers moved with such grace and timing. It was wonderful to watch.
Agora (from 2019) with Choreography by Cassi Abranches and Music by Sebastian Piracés. This piece explored “time and rhythm” the choreographer “sculpts the movement of the percussive beats and bass groves” of the music. This was my favourite piece of the night. The beginning with it rhythmical beat and then moving into more fluid music was mesmerising and this really set the atmosphere for the piece.
We had a question and answers session after the show, compared by Darren Lethem, with Artistic Director Inês Bogéa and company members Alex Akapohi and Thamiris Prata which was very informative and interesting.
All the dancers were magnificent and so talented and I would absolutely recommend this production by the São Paulo Dance Company. Dance Consortium should be commended for bringing such thought provoking shows to the UK and Ireland…I loved it!