'Critical Mass' reviews 'Non Exeunt' reviews 'Mesmerics' reviews 'Approximate Sonata' reviews Trevitt in reviews Nunn in reviews recent George Piper Dances reviews more Mandy reviews

William Forsyth has created a duet on Billy and Oxana entitled ‘Approximate Sonata,I,V with music by Thom.Willems, Tricky Pumpkin This opens with Billy walking slowly forward and pulling strange facial gestures, grimacing and pulling his jaw from side to side, like an animal roaring. The music had a roaring sound to it too; I had visions of a T.Rex stalking its prey! He stops with his hands and arms held forward and says ‘ I feel like a dog!..’ and is told by a voice from off stage to”put one arm down then.” The duet with Oxana had a deliberately unfinished feel, at one point they stop and discuss their steps. …………..an unusual presentation, but that’s Forsyth ! At the end, Oxana has some amazing, spider-like movements at floor level and these were so fascinating to watch that I was very disappointed that the curtain fell as she danced. I didn’t understand this piece but it was strange and interesting.

Chris Wheeldon created the first 5 minutes of Mesmerics as a new work for GPD’s Critics Choice ***** last season. This stands on its own as a fascinating abstract work, with the haunting melodies of Philip Glass’ various String Quartets. The work has now been developed into a full half-hour ballet for the five members of George Piper Dances. New recruits Hubert Essakow( ex-RB) and Monica Zamora ( ex BRB principal) join Billy, Mike and Oxana in this lyrical and hypnotising piece. The initial sequence has been compared to an underwater seascape, with the dancers weaving around each other as if two fronds of seaweed were caught in a current. The costumes resembled surfers wetsuits too, adding to the watery theme. The work develops into further patterns of an earthier feel, and there are duets and trios, building up to all five dancers synchronising bold arms movements as they fly across the stage. From sea to earth to the air!

Cathy Marston described her new duet for two female dancers in the rehearsal video clip, she wanted to explore the relationship between two women who have had their ambitions thwarted and their love destroyed, and who descend into despair, madness and ultimately death. Lady Macbeth and Ophelia are two fictional women caught in time, and whilst the characters in ‘Non Exuent’( no exit) are real women, the motifs that Cathy uses identify Monica Zamora as ‘Lady Macbeth’, rocking a baby then casting her arms open, washing her hands, etc….whilst Oxana Panchenko as ‘Ophelia’ trails her hands in an imaginary river at the very edge of the stage, and prepares to cast herself into the waters……….

The dancing is very feminine and light, with a simple score, the music is by John Cage ( Six Melodies) They have ‘no exit’ from their story, and the footlights which trap them to the front and rear of the stage act as their prison.

To lighten our mood, the video then takes us on a whirlwind tour of the UK, to various venues ( including High Wycombe….Yes I went there Billy !) and brings us back to Sadlers Wells and Russell Maliphants ‘Critical Mass’. The music is by Richard English and Andy Cowton , an electronic score, the rhythm giving the machine-like early section its distinctive beat. The second part astonished me…..I hadn’t seen the Boyz tango before! Oh for a rose each, between their teeth, I loved the humour of this part. The third section develops and returns to the theme of the first part, the two men support, lift and wrap around each other, their trust is absolute and their timing is split-second and spot on.

The Ballet Boyz have shown us again that they are here to stay, they have the ability to astonish us, to commission new works by superb choreographers, and to build on their wonderful company with talented dancers. I missed Matthew Hart, but he has gone back to freelancing, and may guest sometimes………….. Good Luck for your tour of the States, guys, and come back soon!