La La La Human Steps

Shan, Ben, Jon & I went to catch La La La Human Steps - Amjad at Sadler's Wells Theatre. Shan had heard that La La La was a fabulous dance group to watch, and since they were in town, we had to catch it!

The choreographer Edouard Lock constructed this performance using elements derived from the classic pieces Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. He felt that these two ballets were rare examples of dance-generated memories that has been integrated into our culture. It is this that inspired the elements in Amjad.

The stage was kept fairly empty. The only props being the side panels that was a modern art take on the forest. Lock was intrigued by the common forest theme present in both Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, and he extended the use of the forest as an allegory of the unconscious, non-rational side of human nature - the aspect that falls outside the norms of society. He attempted to pull these elements into the dance work as well.

Technically the dancers were very strong. Shan & I were particularly impressed by Xuan Cheng - when we came out of the theatre we were excitedly discussing how good she was. She had excellent technique, was very strong and controlled, but yet always exuded grace and emotion. She was beautiful to watch. Contrast her with another dancer Talia Evtushenko who although had a good physique and was a strong dancer as well, was too hurried in her movements. Even though the choreography is indeed very fast paced (one critic described it as ballet fast-forwarded), but she was overly rushed. It made me feel very kan chiong watching her.

It was a very good show. I was amazed at how strong the dancers were, I was taken with the choreography, and amazed at how they danced to the music which had no fixed rhythm, and occasionally no discernable rhythm at all. I don't believe they are counting throughout the dance...there must be some other rhythm they are following.

The bonus for me was that the music was all played live! My favourite part of the show was when the violinists, cellist, and pianist each took one corner of the stage and launched into a very powerful song that the dancers performed to. The music was stirring, powerful and moving all at once; and the choreography reflected this (or the music reflected the choreography..not sure which way it was done).

I didn't really understand what the dance was showing at times, but overall I still enjoyed myself thoroughly.