Nabeirarrúa Danza A 2 centimetros del suelo
James Finnemore & Vicky Hoyland Sunshine
C-12 Dance Theatre Delicately Divisive
In Nabeirarrua Danza's A 2 centimetros del suelo, Spanish choreographer/performers Anuska Alonso and Mar Lopez have created a quietly potent work about partnership and its indefinable essence. Fading in and out of scenes, the pair may be together or apart but they're never truly connected. A repeated motif sees one jump into the other's arms, needily hanging from her shoulders while the ‘supporting' dancer stands blank and motionless. But just as you feel the emotional distance might be untraversable, the whole work coalesces in a final scene full of heart, where infectious smiles tickle at the corners of the girls' mouths and a telling song strikes up: ‘I don't know why I love you, but I do.' This is a work of real quality and refined movement from two accomplished performers.
James Finnemore and Vicky Hoyland's Sunshine brings us two more disconnected women in a work that packs a fair few ideas into its fifteen minutes. There's heavy-bodied movement mixed with classical lines, ably performed by dancers Katie Baldwin and Sammy Cotton; there's spoken text with snatches of urban imagery, memories and love affairs; then there's a shifting score that ranges from growling sub-bass to maudlin song. Lots to work with, but no clear intention shines through. It needs a little more honing in order to pack a punch.
A kitchen table, a love triangle, a distressed girl and her supportive friends; C-12's Delicately Divisive is a work recognisably rooted in modern life. It's like an episode of Hollyoaks but with more angst. In a good way. The piece works best when the details are right - like the mixed feelings that flare on one girl's face after she fights and makes up with her boyfriend - but elsewhere it's the details that need more attention, particularly technique. An honourable mention must go to Nasae Evanson, the only man onstage tonight, whose fluidly sprung movement and blithe, blissed-out manner provide a counterpoint to all the tortured souls.
Lyndsey Winship
As one of only six Aerowaves companies, Nabeirarrúa Danza's London debut left me with a taste for more. The work opens on a quasi rural Spanish dwelling with warm yellow light spilling onto the stage, empty but for a lone tin bucket. From this Mar López draws water, wetting her long dark hair into a ponytail, her actions simple yet entrancing. She is joined by Anuska Alonso, and in turns they jump, crawl and climb upon each another, hinting at the intimate nature of their liaison. This is made manifest as both give vent to private passions, Alonso crouching against the wall and López lying face down a distance away. The movement's physicality is somewhat softened by long sweeping legs and rippling torsos. In one section, López envelops the surrounding space with sinuous arms, and almost flamenco-like hand motifs. The work is emotionally charged yet subtle, drawing you in unawares.
Sandwiched between two longer pieces is Sunshine, a many-layered piece that interweaves several scenes with a narrative that is at times more distracting than revealing. Baldwin and Cotton shuffle on the spot, heads nodding to some trance-like rhythm suggestive of clubbers moving in isolation amidst the crowds. At points, they break into canon, their angular movement punctuated with slicing arms and sharp footwork. At other times they are less precise and coherent, with shuddering shoulders and staggering feet. Both performers have presence but the work fails to deliver a clear message.
By comparison, the concept behind C-12 Dance Theatre's Delicately Decisive - life's emotional rollercoaster - is all too familiar. The action unfolds around a kitchen table - the scene of many a domiciliary dilemma - that is as central a protagonist as the performers. Other characters comprise a jilted lover, her would-be Romeo, and a circle of friends caught awkwardly in between. The choreography, although sometimes repetitive and predictable, is cohesive and smoothly drives the narrative forwards. All in all this audience-pleaser rounded off a satisfying night.
Katie Fish
Nabeirarrúa Danza, A 2 centimetros del suelo
James Finnemore & Vicky Hoyland, Sunshine
C-12 Dance Theatre, Delicately Divisive