Richard Alston Dance Company – An Italian in Madrid/Burning/Nomadic 10/05/16

Wimbledon marks the final stop in the latest tour of Richard Alston Dance Company. This diverse triple bill features three of the current pieces in rep, with some works featuring at some locations and not others, a nice idea to keep the choreography fresh and the dancer’s engaged.

An Italian in Madrid is a new work for 2016 and is classic Alston piece that straddles the contemporary and classical genres. Set to a rich Scarlatti piano score it tells the story of a young composer’s journey from Naples to Lisbon where he teaches music to a young Portuguese Princess (Vidya Patel) who is betrothed to a Spanish Prince (Liam Riddick). Kathak dancer, Patel, guest starring here, steals the show with her confidence and control, she is every inch the regal princess. Her natural elegance and style is showcased wonderfully in her solo, whereas Riddick’s Prince is strong and brooding in his. It’s a truly multi-cultural work which one would benefit from a second viewing to absorb the nuances and cultural references contained within.

The two remaining works are plotless in comparison, however still enjoyable for their intricacies and explosive energy.Nomadic is an experimental piece, less typically Alston although choreographed by himself with Ajani Johnson-Goffe, danced to a traditional score comprising of just spoons, wooden barrels and darabouka. These laid back dancers make an almost lethargic start that almost gives the sense of a rehearsal but repetitiveness of the music leads to a gradual rise in energy that climaxes in some extraordinary moments of the full cast in perfect synchronicity for extended periods of time in increasingly intricate movements, it’s hypnotic to watch, once they stop their breaths even in unison.

Martin Lawrence’s Burning is the most powerful, explosive and emotive piece of the evening danced to a rousing Franz Liszt score that builds to a stunning denouement. Zeynep Kepekli’s atmospheric lighting assists with the slow-burning tensions of Liszt (also the focus of the piece) and his on/off lover, Marie, (Nancy Nerantzi) a woman driven to madness by the relentless gaggles of women who surround him so suffocatingly. It’s an enjoyable piece for all its wild action, passion and anger that tells the story of turbulence and distress with a pleasingly dramatic ending. It’s full of frenetic, nervous energy that keeps the audience on edge throughout.

A dynamic evening’s work for these company dancers and at aged 67, Alston shows no sign of stopping, and it’s just as well, as he still appears to have plenty to say.

First published on LondonTheatre1.com