SLiDE - Insert Title Here

The company of eight dancers entered in a group clutching corrugated cardboard cog like drums, making squeaking and gabbling noises like a faulty machine. But any impression of faultiness was soon dispelled as the drums became stools, as a kind of musical chairs takes place. They exit with their drums only to enter again with a cellist in their midst.

The group forms a huddle around her, dancers form duets, turn in the air then fall to the ground. The dancers form two parallel human chains, one does a cartwheel between them. It is a joyous, exuberant rejoicing in movement. 

Two men lie on their backs yards apart calling to one another: ‘Where are you?’  ‘I’m here.’ They shuffle backwards towards each other, help each other up and do a lively kung fu style dance. Breaking off into pairs the group help one another up from the ground and duet. It is beautiful to watch.

The third piece begins with the sound of muttering. Dancers freestyle to the Michael Jackson song Working Day and Night.  The performance is a carefully choreographed joyful celebration. One dancer stands on two drums and boogies.  One audience member stands up and moves in time to the music. More spoken words: ‘Would you catch me if I fell? Of course you would.’ The group catch a leaping dancer.

A trio of male dancers use the drums like stepping stones to exit the dance space. Cellist follows them out . Rapturous applause. 

The performance by SLIDE Insert title here took place in the Braithwaite Hall, chairs arranged for a relaxed performance in the round. We watchers were free to come and go, but were all so engaged in the performance that almost no-one left their seat! There were three pieces and we were asked to ‘insert title here’ after each one on postcards we were given at the door. The favourite title chosen by the company was: ’Ships and walls: where old memories fall’

Overheard ‘Brilliant’, ‘Fantastic’. I couldn’t put it better myself.

Review by Jo Bodley