JENNIE MACFIE says more, please to Tabula Rasa’s work for children.

Dancer Tara Hodgson (© Callum Mackay)

For now in the Highlands, parents and small children will have to settle for the occasional Saturday morning treat. And what a treat ‘Dilly Dilly’ was. How many primary teachers would believe that it was possible to sit in the OneTouch surrounded by small people concentrating so hard on the performance in front of them that a tiny, very serious whisper of ‘She’s being naughty, isn’t she?’ was clearly audible?

The rapt silence lasted for 45 minutes, broken only by giggles and full-throated chuckles as Tara Hodgson waved her antennae, picked flowers, spouted water and clowned around the stage, eccentrically but stylishly costumed in green velvet breeches, a deeply desirable flared tweed coat, and a leather flying helmet. Up and down the stepladder, in and out of the daisies she danced, focusing attention on all manner of every day objects and making the audience see them with a fresh eye.

Whether singing, gobbledy-gooking, or cavorting energetically, Hodgson was simply enchanting. Clowning by a dancer is an entirely different experience, adding the dimension of beauty to the fun, and it is to be hoped that Tabula Rasa’s Claire Pençak will continue her experiments in this genre. Shadows and projections by Arts in Motion, and unobtrusive but jolly music by Shooglenifty’s Quee MacArthur assisted in captivating the audience, no matter what their age. More, please.

© Jennie Macfie, 2009

Links

• Tabula Rasa Dance Company

• Jennie Macfie