An experiential piece of dance with plenty of room to develop and grow
The stage is, for the most part, bare. A white square in the middle and a backdrop of red fabrics and postcards. As the show starts we are given time to enter the space and examine the postcards, while adding our own cards to aid the performance. The dancers then enter the space and choose stimuli to inform their performances and interrogate all things woman.
Theiyā Arts Dance Collective are doing something different in this production. They admit it isn’t going to be particularly enjoyable and challenging for an audience. The performance revolves around a few fragments of dances, soundtracked by some live music. They fly by us and make us question how society treats women, and how women must present themselves to us. It is an admirable feat and a very interesting hour. Nothing is easy to unpack in these dances, but they are jammed with introspection and intrigue. With the audience entering the space, the lines are blurred between performer and audience, bringing us into their exploration of womanhood.
The cast is wonderful. They bond with and support each other at all points, building new movement pieces that build and build. It is admirable to develop and create live on the stage, and the troupe does this with ample skill. They are ably backed up by some clever lighting and beuatiful music. The white block on the stage comes alive, as images are projected down. The dancers work with the projection and rhythm, which adds to the experience.
The piece falls short in moments due to its own form. It is inherently improvisational, and while this creates interesting narratives, it struggles to build a throughline. There is room for development here, and this piece will continue to build and grow. It feels like it is still learning what it is, and what it will become. There are a few moments where we see a more developed movement piece, and it is clear that these are more practiced. A more fluent mix of developmental pieces and more rehearsed pieces could aid the journey of this piece, and really help it flow.
It’s a good show, and it really speaks to the audience. Theiyā Arts Dance Collective deserve to be applauded for their work, and it is worth experiencing, to see where the show will grow to as its run continues.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: DB1 at Assembly @ Dance Bace
Dates: 18th – 30th August (Not 24th, 25th)
Time: 17.30
Ticket prices: £15.50 / concessions £14.50
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 14+ (Guideline)