Dance is often praised for its superb choreography and execution, yet the sheer amount of time and effort required to stage these pieces can easily be overlooked. It is never a case of learning to dance for an extraordinary amount of your life, then rocking up on the day and putting those moves to work. The reality is that it can take weeks or months to develop a piece, just like a play, but perhaps with more precision, without which the entire performance could fall apart.

Therefore, it was an absolute delight to see to a simple, rock ‘n’ roll… song, a beautiful show in three acts, utilising a range of interesting songs and exciting performances. Each act tells a different story, with an apparent through-line somewhat connecting them. Throughout each act, lighting and visuals were projected to enhance the dances.

Fortunately, the technical elements on stage were minimal, which made every precise and synchronised movement the focal point of the piece. With a variety of exciting choreography, the piece never hit a lull. Each performer was able to create a range of distinct characters, whether animal or alien, in a way that was engaging and creative.

Sadly, the piece was not evenly polished, particularly in the early moments of the first act where the dancers were less controlled compared to the following two acts. This certainly didn’t ruin the piece, but it make me focus on the weaker moments in this act, rather than on the impressive ensemble work in the rest of the piece.

Any movement in a piece such as this cannot be there purely for the sake of looking good, it must be justified within the story being told. While a few moments appeared not to be justified, to a simple, rock ‘n’ roll… song manages to create a good balance of narrative and beauty. Pieces such as this are a real joy to experience, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in dance.    ★★★★☆     Jeremy Ulster   24^th April 2018