Mark Morris and his dancers are in the UK for a five-week tour. Regional audiences are shown a programme of established work, London audiences will see two pieces new to the UK.
Bach’s Italian Concerto is an ideal opener and a useful introduction to the Morris company’s relationship with live music. Gently pulsating dancing with serene, smooth movements contains nothing too extravagant, but the sway and snap of the choreography enthrals. It looks deceptively simple.
The Western swing dancing of Going Away Party, danced to songs from Bob Willis and his Texas Playboys, has three pairs of dancers and an odd male. It looks great fun and undoubtably is but it is also clearly very precise, almost mathematical in execution. Steps are light and intricate. Groups come together and disperse with a distinct crack. Their shapes fascinate.
In Three Preludes, a white-gloved Bradon McDonald dances three solos to the Gershwin Preludes for Piano. They are appropriately spirited, sprightly and quietly reflective.
Grand Duo makes for a thrilling climax. Considered a signature piece, it is dramatically danced, to music from Lou Harrison, and dramatically lit. Its sensuous tribalism will remind many of The Rites of Spring but there the resemblance quickly ends. This is pure Morris. Footwork is exciting and arm movement striking. There is savage stomping, posturing and finger jabbing between defiant groups and a final, urgent, exhilarating circle.
This is a rewarding evening. Morris is mellowing as he approaches middle-age - but thankfully not too much.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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