The dance pieces of this double bill have very different styles and atmospheres, The Flock is an austere, almost scientific study, Moving Cloud is a euphoric, high adrenaline party.
A spectacular display of dance mastery
The Flock (choreographed by Roser López Espinosa) is inspired by the migration of birds and opens with a virtuosic sequence where the dancers – clothed in greys against a wintery white and grey stage – imitate a formation of birds migrating. The positioning of the dancers evokes the strict lines and v-shapes of the flock. There is metronomic rock music, and the dancers’ perfectly synchronised movements are varied by seemingly random subgroups of the birds, at seemingly random intervals, without any noticeable cueing interaction, flying just slightly out of sequence and then equally abruptly returning to the rhythm of the main group. The eight dancers somehow seem to be a cloud of at least twice that number, and this spectacle of incredible drilling ends with the birds (and humans!) finally collapsing with exhaustion.
Gradually some birds awaken and attempt to waken others. Each exhausted bird lifted by their companion is both a deadweight but somehow also featherlight – once lifted, the bodies seem to long for the air.
There are acrobatic elements such as dancers being swung by their fellows or standing on shoulders, giving a more anthropomorphic sense of trust and community within the bird colony.
The birds’ behaviour gradually changes in tune with the seasons as the dancers start interacting in groups, and the piece ends with the birds moving in enjoyment; first as a pair, but eventually building into the flock to prepare for the return journey.
The behaviour of the birds of The Flock – almost mechanical and ultimately mysterious – could not be in greater contrast to the human community of Sofia Nappi’s Moving Cloud.
The dancers wear white flowing costumes which contrast with the black floor and background. The effect is visually delightful and emphasises the individuality of the dancers – dancing solo or merging into temporary groups out of sheer fun. Movements are fluid and expressive, with elegance, whimsy and humour.
Exhilarating Celtic music from the band Trip got the audience clapping along, and the party ended with rapturous applause.
As a double bill, these pieces appear to be strange bedfellows, but their impact and depth are enhanced by being in partnership, and they are a spectacular display of dance mastery of two completely different dance languages and atmospheres.
