Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds – until 28 September 2019
Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood
4****
This exciting contemporary dance company marks the season with their instalment of Phoenix at Home. The instalment celebrates existing works but also new ones including an excerpt of the company’s brand new production, Black Waters.
To begin proceedings and with an introduction from Sharon Watson, the company’s artistic director; Black Waters makes its mark and the audience is given a taste of what is about to come next February when it makes its world premiere at the Leeds Playhouse. This work is co-choreographed by Watson, Shambik Ghose and Dr Mitul Sengupta and looks at the narratives, at the time, about exploration of place, worth and belonging in somewhat then a history of prejudice and violence as far as race and ethnicity are concerned. Under the musical composition of Dishari Chakraborty, Black Waters capture the movement from a story with only more to be told.
Kabbalah, a new work, follows and is performed by the up and coming dancers from Phoenix Youth Academy Juniors. Set to Ramin Djawadi’s Light of the Seven, the company intricately dances and moves to the musical variation which figuratively signifies nature living in the three worlds; earth, heaven and the underworld. Under the choreography of Sandrine Monin, the unity and love are symbolised through collective motions and synchronised interpretations. It is excellently done and certainly a stand out performance from the evening’s programme.
Next is Michael Marquez’s short feature, Lux, and the use of light and luminance is figuratively interpreted by a one’s existence and memories. This dually is slowly and beautifully interpreted to Deep Watch’s Endless fragments of time.
The final work is the The Rite of Spring, produced jointly with Opera North, returns after a successful debut earlier in the year. Jeanguy Saintus brings Stranvinsky’s masterpiece with its contemporary reworking on stage and embraces the Haitian culture. There is a specific emphasis on Haitian Voodoo with the varying musical tempos and moves representing the ceremonial and celebratory elements. Saintus’ provocative, unique and solid choreography and dancing generates an eye catching performance from the company of dancers. The coloured gloves which the dancers wear signify a changing season and circumstance which sells well to the audience.
This Phoenix at Home programme certainly appeases with return works and new works ready to be showcased further. The company take pride in giving opportunities particularly with existing and up and coming dancers. The Phoenix Dance Company successfully continues to tell stories, told and untold, with contemporary dance, movement and rhythm. A wonderful evening of dance!