This annual event has become a firm favourite in my reviewing calendar over the years; and was disappointed that for the last two years there has been nothing, due of course to the coronavirus pandemic. I was therefore very much looking forward to this weekend, and watching what the dancing youths of the north west had in store for us.
As in previous years the public performances were split over two evenings (Saturday and Sunday), and groups came from anywhere within the north west region to perform, celebrate dance, learn, and perhaps most importantly network and collaborate. One Dance UK are here to promote and help develop youth dance talent across the country, and these U.Dance events take place throughout the next month or so in all the regions, culminating in a final show of the winning performances from each region in July.
The judges watch all the dances from all the regions and choose one or two from each which best fulfil their own marking criteria. As an actor, musical theatre performer, and stage director, I am probably looking for different things when I watch the dances; but as always, I am wowed and verily impressed by the commitment, energy, talent, enthusiasm, and general positive atmosphere these youths create.
When watching their dances I am looking not just (although I am looking for it) technical ability and talent; my thoughts also go towards how the presentation looks as a piece of theatre from an audience perspective; shapes, pictures, images created - and are they apt and telling the story of their dance in the best way possible. I look at costumes, make-up, lighting, staging and use of space; as well as wanting an acting performance from those performing contemporary ballet. I am looking at individual dancers as well as small group work and ensembles; is there variety in their performances in terms of all Laban's principles; and finally, how I, as an audience member feel from watching the piece. So just a very small list really....!
When watching their dances I am looking not just (although I am looking for it) technical ability and talent; my thoughts also go towards how the presentation looks as a piece of theatre from an audience perspective; shapes, pictures, images created - and are they apt and telling the story of their dance in the best way possible. I look at costumes, make-up, lighting, staging and use of space; as well as wanting an acting performance from those performing contemporary ballet. I am looking at individual dancers as well as small group work and ensembles; is there variety in their performances in terms of all Laban's principles; and finally, how I, as an audience member feel from watching the piece. So just a very small list really....!
On Saturday evening there were 12 groups gracing the Lowry's Quays Theatre stage. And my favourites from that show were undoubtedly:
1) "Rosa" performed by Wirral Grammar School For Girls. A deftly coordinated routine using Rosa Parks's fight for justics and racial equality as their storyline. Turning the idea slightly on its head by costuming all the girls in dark silk dressing gown style dresses, except for Rosa herself who wore a pure white one. Nice. Choreographed by Nicola Davis and Sam Rigby, this story was clearly and intelligently told, and the dancing was of a very hight standard. Absolutely brilliant.
2) "Keertanam - The Dance Of Shiva" performed by Swati Dance Company. 6 young girls from an Indian background delighted by transporting us to a different time, continent and culture. Dressed in traditional garb, these girls danced a traditional Indian-inspired invocation to the God Siva.
3) "Not Waving But Drowning" performed by LIPA Sixth Form College, Liverpool. This fluid and imaginative piece of ensemble contemporary dance was inspired by the poem by Stevie Smith, "Not Waving But Drowning". Excellent use of space, creative lifts and a lovely ending were the highlights of this piece.
4) "21" performed by New Manoeuvres Dance Academy, Preston. With leaps, tumbles and acrobatics, this was a lovely ensemble piece. basing their choroegraphy on the idea of a cross-channel journey by refugees fleeing their homelands for refuge here, it was a powerful and imageful piece, and choreographer Isabel Elder had captured the urgency in the piece superbly.
5) "The Falling" performed by Homegrown Youth Dance Theatre. The programme note tells us that this piece was inspired by the 911 memorial in New York; a tribute and exploration of the emotional, psychological and physical behaviour of the jumpers during the 911 disaster. Dressed uniformly in black with white shirts, these shirts were used creatively and highly effectively throughout, and the shapes and pictures created with them were very effective. The dancers worked superbly as an ensemble and showed a nice use of speeds during the piece. Meaningfully and artistically realised. Very effective, and a stunning piece of dance-theatre.
On Sunday evening, a slightly shorter programme of just 10 individual items, with my favourites of the evening being:
6) "Enter The Circus" performed by Illuminate Dance Company - Blackpool Sixth Form College. Using Christina Aguillera's "Enter The Circus", and following it with Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns" was inspired. One boy and 6 girls brought clowning, acrobatics, and panache to this piece with an ease rarely seen by non-professionals It was balletic, original, visually stimulating, and a complete piece, beautifully realised.
7) "Out Of The Darkness" performed by WigLe Academy. Out of the darkness indeed, as all the dances prior to this were very "worthy" and conveyed social and political issues within them. So it was indeed highly refreshing and truly delightful to see a joyous full-of-life dance being performed simply for the joy of dancing! With lovely and appropriate choreography, the team created some lovely pictures and were coordinated throughout with nice costumes and lighting making it an uplifting theatrical experience allowing us to leave for the interval on a high. Lovely.
8) "Mutiny" performed by Sandbach School. A group of 15 young boys made their dancing debut this evening with this tale of mutiny onboard an 18th century ship. A very clear narrative was created, with strong ensemble movement from the chorus dancers, whilst the two main dancers impressed with their rhythm and skill - the one stripping the other of his captain's rank, and taking his place. Strong and immediate.
9) "You Are Not Alone" performed by Fusion Dance Company, Denton, Manchester. This was another hugely professional performance danced by the largest group of the whole event. The timing, precision, lifts, and pictures that they created were all coordinated and delightful. Solo work, small group work and full ensemble work, combined with great skill and expertise brought together a joyous and uplifting piece full of visual spectacle. Just lovely, and the perfect way to end the whole event.
Apologies to those schools, academies, groups not mentioned, but I simply couldn't include them all!
A very enjoyable double-evening of youth dance from a region oozing with talent! Thank you.
A very enjoyable double-evening of youth dance from a region oozing with talent! Thank you.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 13.2.22
on - 13.2.22
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