Leeds Playhouse – until Thursday 2 April 2026
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
4****
Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Interplay, part of the 2026 Spring Tour, opens at the Leeds Playhouse under the artistic direction of Marcus Jarrell Willis. Interplay is a quadruplet mixed bill showcasing diverse pieces by choreographers round the world. The pieces’ themes centre on the human experience with an emphasis on duality and collaboration from an artistic perspective through contemporary dance and movement. The company is reputed for its modern, inclusive, and diverse interpretation on a wide range of themes and Interplay is an exemplary opportunity for the company to present this mixed bill for those reasons.
The bill begins with Next of Kin, restaged and choreographed by Jarrell Willis, this 7-minute contemporary work, set to classical music, featuring two compatible characters at play who accidently meet on their life journeys. Why Are People Clapping?!, another restaged work, follows and the work is set to Steve Reich’s Clapping Music and the rhythm is the main conduit for living. The dancers intricately interpret the rhythmic notions, human expressions and interactions which are encountered in their everyday lives. The entertaining work is choreographed by Ed Myhill and restaged by Camille Giraudeau.
The third work being presented is Small Talk, choreographed by Pett Clausen-Knight, and set to a variety of classical music that ambiently echoes the two figures’ intimacy and estrangement. The work unravels the two figures’ beautiful and fragile relationship and how they reach a point whether to either hold on or move on.
The final work is Suite Release, a work set to hip-hop and house music with an emphasis to remembering it as a ritual rather than watching it as a piece. Jarrell Willis and Yusha-Marie Sorzano choreograph the work and is complimented with Luke Haywood’s lighting and Janne Beresford’s costumes. The dancers characteristically inherit, rejoice and resist situations which echo the explored themes in this piece.
The company demonstrate brilliantly synchronised and fluid dancing with intricate movements and expressions. They sensitively and emotively respond to the themes and human experiences in the four pieces of work which inclusively and universally unites one all amid in an ever-changing world and relationships.
The themes raised from this remarkable mixed bill resonate today and the audience are responsibly encouraged to think and act on what unites them and what they have in common. Also to fight the uncomfortable notion of divisions that are fuelled by misinterpretations and misinformation from current events and news. A thanks to Phoenix Dance Theatre for putting on another excellent production.