Nederlands Dans Theatre
Performance Reviews || Sunday, 3 September, 2006
The original Nederlands Dans Theater (there are two other NDT companies) brought four pieces to this year’s Edinburgh International Festival; Silent Screen, Sh-Boom, Shutters Shut and Signing off. All choreographed by husband and wife team Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon.
You are almost always guaranteed a stunning show when you go to see Nederlands Dans Theater. Without a doubt, the dancers are among the best in the world in terms of skill and athleticism and the choreography is always fresh and challenging.
Performing in the Edinburgh Playhouse, however, has its misgivings.
The first piece has a dramatic opening with imposing giant screens of black and white graphics. Out of the corner of each eye the velvet curtains and royal boxes tend to spoil the impact. On reflection, the juxtaposition is apt - a company so clearly classically trained performing quirky modern movement. Something I observed was difficult for a few of the dancers, trying to let go of “peacock-style” heads and balletic restraints.
A stunning backdrop and the use of billowing material works beautifully with the performers. However, when that was absent mid-piece you felt short changed, waiting for the next big thing. The problem with theatrics, it so often detracts from the movement - which in itself would have been breathtaking but seemed almost tedious when not accompanied. A moving piece lifted by beautiful, if a little sentimental, cinematography.
The two pieces, which followed, were, in contrast, pure entertainment. Sh-Boom was a take on the Musical Theatre genre. It was laugh out loud fun with men in underwear and even complete nudity. So often in modern dance one asks the question “what is the reason for such gratuity?” The answer this time?…Because its funny!
The final piece was about saying goodbye and all I can say is I wish we had said goodbye to the dancers before this piece started. A thoroughly enjoyable bill demonstrating a dramatic range of style and challenging choreography felt over-stretched by including a rather dour and repetitive finale.
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