Motionhouse - Driven

Published Friday 9 February 2007 at 15:55 by Thom Dibdin

Blending filmed and live dance, Kevin Finnan’s new piece for Motionhouse explores ideas of mortality for those in a live fast culture, in which dying young might be a slogan, but has no part in reality. It is a hugely physical piece, sampling, like its techno and house imbued soundtrack by Sophy Smith and Tim Dickinson, from a variety of styles.

The central narrative - revealed in an episodic format that jumps back and forward in time and also in perspective - is the death of a young man (Junior Cunningham) in a nightclub and the grief which effects those he knew - internalised by Sioda Martin and aggressively protective in Rachel McDermott. Against this are shown the manoeuvring of relationships at the club and at work - counterbalanced by how those relationships are effected by the death.

Described in its bones, this is dark material. But its exposition is light and vibrant as the company plays out the rituals of courtship and hedonism - the latter athletically depicted by Stuart Waters. Low level aerial work from the boxed frame of the stage, designed by Simon Dormon with Jonathan Graham’s flying equipment, adds extra dimensions to the expressions of the relationships, particularly from Kylie Sudds and Martin.

The talented cast work right to the limits of their abilities, bringing sensuality and breathtaking moments in equal proportion. Yet the structure is over-complex, so that, as in the exposed elements of the aerial work, you lose focus on the meaning and concentrate on how it is being said.