Expressive, strong, entirely unique, Yorke Dance Project returns us to the golden age of modern dance

California Connections: Three Pioneering Women is a celebration of some of the finest choreographic minds in modern history. Performed by the Yorke Dance Project, the works of Kenneth MacMillan, Martha Graham, and Bella Lewitzky featured alongside the world premiere of Yolande Yorke-Edgell’s A Point of Balance. Brought to life by the dancers of the Yorke Dance Project, with special guests Michael Barnes & Eileih Muir, California Connections is Modern dance at its finest. 

Powerful is the word most apt to describe the incredible dancers who appeared in this performance. Every dancer exuded strength and power, not only in their physicality but in their expression; to celebrate powerful women in dance, it is only right that their work feature women of equal caliber. Of particular brilliance were Abigail Attard Montalto,who featured as the soloist in Graham’s Errand Into the Maze, and Eileih Muir, who featured as lead soloist in A Point of Balance. 

California Connections opened with MacMillan’s one-act ballet Isadora, commemorating the life of modern dance visionary Isadora Duncan. MacMillan’s choreography is passionate and evocative, often bordering on downright erotic and full of dramatic visuals. Largely driven by the tales of Isadora’s personal and romantic life, this ballet featured four unique pas de deux’s. Each pas was extraordinary in how brilliantly the minutiae of that given relationship was to be understood. Faultlessly combining power, sensuality, and vulnerability, Amy Thake became the embodiment of Isadora. Michael Barnes as Gordon Craig was my only point of contention; while he gave one of the most rousing characterizations of the evening, his movements appeared quite stiff and juvenile at times. Edd Mitton and Harry Wilson captivated in the roles of Paris Singer and Sergei Esenin respectively, and Pierre Tappon brought a pleasant degree of whimsy as the Beach Boy. Intelligently subtle decisions in lighting design from Zeynep Kepekli and beautifully simple costumes from Barry Kay solidified Isadora’s ethereal feel. 

Errand Into the Maze was exactly the type of strange brilliance expected of Graham. Dancers Montalto and Mitton delivered a technically flawless performance filled with power and curiosity. It was a perfect incarnation of the story of the minotaur hunter in the maze and an impeccable celebration of Graham’s creativity. 

Yorke-Edgell’s A Point of Balance displayed intelligent and beautiful choreography while exploring layered connection and separation. Soloist Muir, perhaps one of the finest dancers I have ever seen, delivered a captivating performance alongside dancers Jenny Hayes and Ellie Ferguson. Muir and Hayes partnered beautifully and danced as one single unit; Muir and Ferguson greatly complimented each other in their duet but had synchronicity issues at times. The collective effect of the trio was overwhelmingly beautiful and stood strong alongside the brilliance of Graham, Lewitzky, and MacMillan. 

Lewitzky’s Meta 4 was the finest choreography of the evening. Closing the show, Meta 4 featured dancers Jenny Hayes, Abigail Attard Montalto, Pierre Tappon, and Luke Ahmet in a four part study of geometry and function. Unfortunately the dancers of Meta 4 suffered from several technical mishaps as well as blatant synchronicity issues. In spite of these issues Meta 4 shone as a pillar of exemplary work in modern dance. It is easy to lose sight of the beauty of modern dance in all its’ oddities but California Connections: Three Pioneering Women reminds us of its’ brilliance. The selected works culminated in an unforgettable celebration of the women who made dance into what it is today. Expressive, strong, entirely unique, California Connections: Three Pioneering Women returns us to the golden age of modern dance.