Lawrence Batley Theatre (Online)
Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood – Reviewed 13 October 2020
5*****
Lawrence Batley Theatre presents Locked Down, Locked In, But Living, a virtual triple bill of dance. The three pieces of work forming this production were filmed and recorded in line with COVID compliant and Government guidelines.
The first production, Locked Down, produced by the theatre and Studio Wayne McGregor explores what it is like for a dancer or artist to be confined in their own home during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The dancer, Izzac Carroll, moves and dances provocatively what the restrictive experience is really like and wishing for freedom. Choreographed by Jordan James Bridge, this journey is navigated with creativity and expression in adapting and seeking comfort and eventually finding a new norm. The filming appropriately echoes the ambience and lighting for those extraordinary circumstances.
Locked In, co-produced with Northern Ballet, comes next and looks at the freedoms which have in the past taken for granted. Combined with feelings, that are triggered from the enforced isolation, this production explores and looks at the sensitivities and the yearnings for freedoms to be returned. With Daniel de Andrade’s powerful choreography, the dancers successfully and powerfully portray and state those attributes and emotions from the challenging experience.
But Living is an animated production which looks at a psychological state of mind of a dancer during lockdown. Choreographed by Gary Clarke and based on the 1903 film, Alice in Wonderland, this production invites the viewer on a journey of varying psychological states which the dancer experiences. Performed by Gavin Coward, movements expresses the themes of being trapped, enforced isolation, loneliness and eventually escapism. On parallel with Alice’s Wonderland adventures, Coward moves and dances through the vaults and labyrinth’s of the theatre which encapsulates similar relatable emotions and experiences.
These excellent and thoughtful pieces of work resonates with the current times that everyone is currently living in. Being locked down and locked in maybe necessary for keeping safe but it doesn’t stop everyone living.