The Stage

Perfect

Published Friday 18 March 2005 at 10:45 by Lisa Whitbread

Touring its 16th show, Motionhouse has something very special in the form of Perfect. Conceived around the idea of time, the five dancers dart powerfully through energetic and animated contemporary dance piece.

Simon Dormon’s set of sand, paper and scaffolding is constantly manipulated as it peels back into ever changing settings. Here the technical elements are in balance with performance, working on a more collaborative basis. Mark Parry’s lighting and Dormon’s paper screen combine to play with the idea of shadow and Caroline Bridges’ filmwork interacts with the dancers as opposed to providing just a simple backdrop. The filmic hands controlling the dancers is inspired and the imaginative use of the combined technology does not mask the dancers or hinder them but accentuates their energy and technique.

Each scene shifts to the next with Sophy Smith and Tim Dickinson’s powerful soundtrack and the repeated motifs as the set morphs, keeps the action constant and smooth. The athletic precision of the dancers comes through in the partnerwork, with Junior Cunningham and Stuart Waters excellently switching between female partners. Vanessa Cook, Wendy Hesketh and Helen Parlor ricochet with superb gymnastic dexterity, revealing artistic director Kevin Finnan’s choreography alongside that of the company’s organic ideas.

The self-propelled aerial work is captivating and frenzied as all five dancers dive and swoop in and out of the set, at times interacting, at others competing for space.

This is accessible and enchanting dance, not afraid of innovation while providing a performance of memorable excellence.