As the door to the auditorium opens, you walk barefoot onto a dark stage. The room is empty except for two chairs illuminated by a spotlight: the dancer sits on one, with the other directly across from her. Prepare to be seen in Lewis Major's Lien, a show that invites you to step into an intimate space where time stands still, awakening your consciousness as the noise of everyday life gently fades away.
Enchanting
Dance is a form of performative art typically designed to be showcased in front of an audience. But, can a discipline dependent on an audience truly thrive without one? Lien challenges traditional preconceptions of what dance should be, emphasising that human connection and self-reflection are essential for any art form to truly exist.
The dancer introduces herself, and through a few questions and a brief conversation, we start to get to know one another. We share a mutual love of dance as a grounding practice, appreciating it as an art form that fosters self-expression. Things quickly become personal as she asks when I last felt seen. I’m taken aback, realising I don’t even know the answer. Our modern lives demand a fast-paced lifestyle, filled with the hustle and bustle of ongoing pressures from work and daily responsibilities.
She thanks me for sharing and asks to share a dance in return. Debussy’s Clair de Lune begins to play—a hauntingly beautiful classical piece that most audiences will recognise, even if they don’t know its name. This piano composition, rich with ethereal scales and romantic pangs, evokes a sense of reflective longing. The spotlight shines on the stage like moonlight, creating an enchanting atmosphere as the dance begins.
It is a rare privilege to see a professional dancer up close, her body interpreting the music as she performs a solo. In that moment, she becomes a mirror to my inner thoughts, reflecting my emotions in her movements. The dance finishes. Two strangers, who may never meet again, have just shared a moment in time. As I step out the door and into the hallway, I check the time and notice it’s only been 15 minutes.
There's something quite therapeutic about the whole experience. The fleeting connection through the dance feels almost surreal. Lewis Major’s Lien is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A small but significant reminder of the beauty of transient connections.
