The Stage

Rambert Dance Company - Eternal Light

Published Wednesday 12 November 2008 at 16:05 by Gavin Roebuck

Eternal Light, a requiem for lost rainforests and things past, is artistic director Mark Baldwin’s second major work for Rambert Dance Company. Showing the fear and acceptance of death and the possibility of rebirth, it is set to an elegiac score by composer Howard Goodall. It is sung live by Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford, with Finchley Children’s Music Group, accompanied by the London Musici, conducted by Paul Hoskins.

Eternal Light uses all the company dancers in ten sections, offering solace to the grieving and a recognition that the departed live on in the memories of others. Viewing it on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, one is especially struck by the symbolism of the sixth part, set on a Flanders poppy red stage, lit by Michael Mannion, overhung with crosses embedded with sparkling crystals designed by Michael Howells. The costumes by Stephen Jones included flared trousers in grass green and blood red.

Also on the programme was A Tribute to Norman Morrice. Two short solos from Miguel Altunaga and Alexander Whitley performed as a tribute to the late Norman Morrice, Rambert’s former artistic director. The evening closed with Infinity by Australian Dance Theatre’s artistic director Garry Stewart. Exploring our passage through the world, set to a score of world music instruments by Luke Smiles.

Perhaps more the stars than the choreography, Rambert’s dancers remain some of the finest contemporary performers in the world.