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Tread Softly/Carnival of the Animals/The Comedy of Change

Published Wednesday 4 November 2009 at 11:40 by Gavin Roebuck

The Comedy of Change is set to a commissioned, untuneful and discordant score by Julian Anderson and stark black and white costumes designed by Kader Attia. Choreographer Mark Baldwin mixes dance and science into an interesting performance that tantalises the senses and stimulates the mind. This abstract dance work honours the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth and celebrates the 150th anniversary of his influential book On the Origin of Species. How similarities become differences is seen as dancers move from performing in unison into solos, an interplay between past and the future and the nature of camouflage are other explored themes. Opening with a good piece of imagery, the hatching of chrysalises, the piece develops but becomes less fun and engaging as it lacks emotional warmth. Dancers Pieter Symonds, Gemma Nixon and Jonathan Goddard excel.

Tread Softly has atmospheric lighting by Yaron Abulafia and is inspired by Schubert and WB Yates. Henri Oguike’s choreography has vibrant pelvic undulations which do not flatter or empower the four female dancers, nor does his choreography thrill as the six male dancers jump and perform athletic moves. Siobhan Davies’ Carnival of the Animals to Saint-Saens’ score takes inspiration from the natural world to look at human nature. The dancers cleverly twist and turn into recognisable creatures with few props and often confound expectations. With witty waltzing and imaginative beautiful lines and intricate contortions, the audience is left upbeat and enthralled by the eight dancers.

The dynamic dancers are on top form.

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