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Jonathan Burrows and Matteo FargionOctober 2003 London, Sadler's Wells by Ann Williams |
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A dozen or so years ago, Jonathan Burrows left his day-job as a soloist with the Royal Ballet to pursue a career as an independent choreographer. Before he left the RB, though, he had shown his considerable – if quirky – choreographic talent with his ‘Stoics Quartet’ and other small marvels. After that, he spent some time in Europe and the US honing his talents and gaining considerable respect. Now he’s back in the UK as part of Dance Umbrella performing ‘Both Sitting Duet’ at The Place with his friend and collaborator, the composer Matteo Fargion (who is also noted for his work with Siobhan Davies and Russell Maliphant). It’s important to say at the outset that there is nothing that could truly be described as ‘dancing’ in’Both Sitting’; the nearest we get is when the two men stand up from their chairs and stamp their feet rythmically for a few seconds whilst standing on the spot. But it is also important to say that this 45-minute show is both entertaining and utterly absorbing; I doubt if anyone in the audience took their eyes off the seated figures for a second. Neither performer is young; Burrows is in his early 40s and Fargion may be slightly older. Neither could be described as glamorous, but Burrows has the unmistakable grace of a dancer, and it is to him that the eye is continually drawn. His arms and hands are extraordinarily expressive. This is important as all movement in the piece is centered on the arms and hands; Burrows seems to have a particular fascination for hands. Often the pair simply gaze at their hands, study them, turn them over, count their fingers lovingly etc. They slap their thighs and repeatedly slide their hands down the denim-clad slope to the knee, they swing their arms behind and above them, bend to brush their fingers on the floor or pick up invisible objects. These movements are repeated in a subtle but distinct pattern (a second viewing would undoubtedly be rewarding).  © Herman Sorgeloos
A word about Matteo Fargion; he’s a composer, not a dancer, yet he matched Burrows movement for movement with only slightly less ease and elasticity , but no loss whatsoever in enjoyment and commitment.
Deservedly, the audience called the pair back three times for applause for what was a thoroughly enjoyable dance event.
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