Standing Stones

Published Monday 16 June 2008 at 10:10 by Kevin Berry

Dance in a cathedral - and this is dance entirely in keeping with the serenity and grandeur of the space.

Standing Stones, from the Ascendance Rep company, is utterly beautiful. It reflects the texture of the magnificent architecture, the strength of the stonework and the long life of the building.

Choreographed by Jacky Lansley, Standing Stones is danced to the four movements of the Mozart Clarinet Quintet K581, which is played live by members of the Cornish Sinfonia.

Ascendance Rep has built its reputation on site specific work, performing at libraries and art galleries and now touring the nation’s cathedrals. Performances have the atmosphere and artistic integrity of a recital and there is always jollity.

The four dancers are clad is loose smocks and pants, each dancer being allocated one colour. Their movements are gentle and graceful. Motifs have a purity and sweet simplicity. Arms make a ring shape and the shape is linked and passed on. Duets are mutually supportive. Nothing is hurried, nothing too slow.

Then comes the fun. Caps are put on and pulled down to create medieval headwear. Katie Keeble disappears. The other dancers gurney, up and own the aisle, like the Minster’s gargoyles. Then a much taller Keeble comes back. She is walking with callipers which are hidden under a voluminous skirt. Much comic creativity ensues.

Pauses between the quintet movements are part of the performance. Everything is calmly done, even a break for drinks. The simple lighting, from Michael Mannion, is close to perfection.

Watching Standing Stones is an unforgettable experience.