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By
Pei Ling Wong
Artistic
director Mark Baldwin led Britain's oldest dance company in marrying
ballet with contemporary dance techniques and past masterworks with
modern interpretations. The performance was greatly enhanced by
the accompaniment of London Musici, conducted by Paul Hoskins.
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| Rambert
(c) Patrick Baldwin |
The
first piece, Judgement of Paris, is a black comedy based on the
Greek myth in which three goddesses: Juno, Venus and Minerva compete
to be the most beautiful, as judged by Paris. Choreographer Antony
Tudor (a.k.a. The Master of Psychological Ballet) portrays in this
work three aging prostitutes vying for the custom of the bar's only
patron. A combination of clumsily amateur dances by the prostitutes
in their bid to be chosen was both comical and pitiful.
Rambert
dancer Mikaela Polley choreographed the next piece, Momenta. What
followed was a frenzy of well-charted and graceful dance movements.
The synergy and harmony of the performance is the strong point of
this piece.
In
another choreograph of Tudor, Dark Elegies, the audience were mesmerized
by the beautiful voice of baritone Ashley Holland. The Songs on
the Death of Children (Kindertotenlieder) sets the loose storyline
for this plot-less 20th century ballet. The general impression is
of a disaster involving groups of children.
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| Swamp |
Swamp,
the final piece, would wake anyone up! Michael Clark uses a creative
blend of lighting, costume and loud music in his choreography. It
is as if Sir Anthony Caro's sculptures were brought to life. The
galvanising performance maintained a graceful combination of movements,
which is a trademark of these internationally acclaimed dancers
by now.
The
Rambert Dance Company has put up an impressive performance that
is purely to be experienced and enjoyed.
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