Three distinct dance acts bring the unexpected to the stage for Beyond Boundaries, a show billed as a time-travelling showcase of Scottish hip-hop dance. If one act is not for you, then Beyond Boundaries will delight thanks to its wide variety of performer styles, all tied together by a golden thread of street choreography and hip-hop beats.
A dance variety show showcasing the very best of Scottish culture
The show starts with solo dance piece, Asili (meaning ‘origins’) performed by Dorine Mugisha as an exploration of identity and culture through physical self-expression. Originally from Tanzania, born and raised in France and now living in Scotland, Mugisha expresses a multitude of cultural experiences, with formal training in hip-hop and African choreography. Initially bound by the limitations of Classical dance traditions, Mugisha moves erratically, using pace to defy expectations while also imbuing a sense of unease. The latter parts of her performance however see her embrace her heritage and alternate dance traditions to find freer expression with mind-blowing choreography that finds flow, feminine power and defiance. It’s a truly breath-taking work that sets us up for the rest of the show.
Beyond Mugisha, dance duo Nevil Jose and Ursula Manandhar present their work Reflection, also looking at cultural conflict and the pursuit of freedom in movement. The narrative arc of ‘Reflection’ is riveting, easily seen through the changing expressions of the two dancers as they go from the trappings of tradition to a freer selfhood that allows them to finally dance together in joy.
The third and final act is Broken Circuit by Max Evans which takes an entirely unexpected avenue by looking at the potential for AI to fulfil the human desire for connection. It’s an absorbing and often comical work that takes us on a journey into the metaverse through well-choreographed flow.
Though varied, each act showcases connection through culture and together they work to redefine Scottish culture and bring us together in the process.
