Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham – until Thursday 11th October 2023
Reviewed by Jill Heslop
5*****
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre are touring the ‘Next Generation’ of young dancers, hence the name ‘Ailey 2’, and you have a chance to catch them at various UK theatres for two nights in each venue. Last night was Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall where these young dancers were given a rousing reception.
Under the Artistic Director Francesca Harper, the twelve young Company members of Ailey 2 performed four separate dance pieces with a variety of pre-recorded music. The first of these, an excerpt from ‘Enemy in the Figure’ choreographed by William Forsythe originally in 1989, was pulsing, repetitive rhythms (music by Thom Willems) with machine-like moves and amazing light and shadow lighting. The strength and youth of these dancers shone through with fluid, flexible movements in perfect rhythm to the music.
Next, an excerpt from Freedom Series choreographed by Francis Harper in 2021. This moving piece used individually held lamps as if searching for comfort which then evolved into a more fast paced, athletic and balletic piece expressed to the Bach strings.
The Hunt, from 2001, expressed a more predatory feel with the energy of the dancers filling the stage. Costumes designed by Mia McSwain were individualised but not gender based or stereotyped.
The final piece, Revelations, dated from 1960 and was a marked contrast to the other routines. Here, costumes were rooted in gender, with women dressed in their Sunday best and suggesting humour with the idea of gossiping after church to the music of church spirituals. This piece was a series of short cameos each illustrating a different aspect of the African American community, with a floating, positive feel as they all dressed in white to the music of ‘Wade in the Water.’ Overall, a joyous interpretation of community through dramatic expression and feeling. The pas de deux was beautiful with a sensitive and moving portrayal.
You will be impressed and thrilled by the power and movement on display in this talented world class dance troupe.