The Stage

The Land of Yes and the Land of No

Published Monday 28 September 2009 at 09:55 by Liz Arratoon

This collaboration between the Spanish choreographer/dancer Rafael Bonachela and the eminent Italian composer and double bass maestro, Ezio Bosso, must be a match made in heaven.

Taking a series of internationally understood road signs - instructions in other words - as their starting point, Bonachela and his six spectacular dancers have created a mesmerising work based on the memories and feelings those images evoked.

Performed in two parts, the first half is a soothing wave of emotion as Bosso’s music for strings and piano washes over you and the most innovative and lovely solos, duos and ensemble pieces unfold. Everything here looks fresh and the slightest wiggle of the hips, an opening palm, the back kick of a heel or a slow walk is made significant.

After the interval, the tone is more confrontational - the soundtrack now includes samples and voices and there are thrilling lifts, leaping turns and an effectively tortured solo.

Bonachela’s troupe is dressed stylishly in summery white by Theo Clinkard in a variety of pleated dresses, shorts and trousers cut from the same materials, either ridged, smooth or sheer.

Alan Macdonald’s graphic set is lit by Guy Hoare, who uses coloured washes of light to drench the backdrop and fluorescent strip lights flickering on and off to make a framework of doorways and windows.

The initial spur of the signage may have become largely irrelevant, but the result is strikingly beautiful. Rarely can music and movement have been so perfectly combined.