GEORGINA COBURN finds the Curve Foundation Dance Company‘s Spring Tour offers an exciting opportunity to see dance stripped down to the strength of its bare bones.

IN AN INTIMATE venue like the Spectrum Centre with a minimal backdrop, simple lighting design and costuming there was nothing but the sheer skill of the dancers and choreographers to engage the audience. Although constrained by a limited touring budget this production displays integrity of movement and intent in the talent and grace of its dancers and the desire of the company to make their work accessible.

As an audience we were introduced immediately to the style of the performance through Ana Lujan Sanchez’s piece “Cervantes”, danced solo by Christophe Carpentier. We were close enough to hear the dancer’s breath, the sound of his body hitting the floor, and see at close quarters the effort, sweat and physicality of movement that is so lost in a larger theatre and so often hidden behind lavish sets and costumes.

For an audience to be involved in a dance performance in this way is a breakthrough and it was particularly gratifying to see a mixture of children and adults in the audience. Such immediate contact with a dance performance is a great way of demystifying the art form, especially to a young audience and is wonderfully inclusive.

Director Ross Cooper, presented a sensuous range of tension and movement by dancers Chloe Wilkinson and Jurriaan Loos. But it was the pure energy of “Violet” set to Vivaldi’s “Summer” and choreographed by Henri Oguike that stole the first part of the programme.

To see this performed to live music would have been even more electrifying! The choreography captured the essence and spirit of the music with a joy, energy and poignancy that was truly memorable.

Part two saw Rui Lopes Graca’s  “Savalliana” danced with peerless discipline, poise and elegance by dancer Soraya Ham. It was followed by Merce Cunnigham’s “Signals”, with music by John Cage, a Scottish premiere on this tour.

This is an interesting piece of theatre and a great opportunity to showcase the company’s talents in a series of solo, duet, trio and sextet movements set to Cage’s seemingly random soundscape. The element of chance also pervades the choreography as the dancers signal each other, altering learnt phrases during each performance.

There is a freshness and dynamism to this signature work which is testimony to the development of the company as a whole. As a repertory company at the forefront of the Scottish dance scene, The Curve Foundation offers a varied and innovative programme to audiences across Scotland this Spring. Don’t miss them!

Curve Foundation perform at the following venues:
Aros Centre, Portree, Isle of Skye, Friday 15 April 2005
Nevis Centre, Fort William, Saturday 16 April 2005

© Georgina Coburn, 2005

Related Links:

• Curve Foundation Dance website