Dance / Contemporary dance
Review: Light Steps, Circomedia
Well, what a warm hug of a show this was: a splendidly comforting way to spend a Saturday afternoon when it’s cold and wet outside.
The show contained three of my absolute favourite things: the cello, contemporary dance with a sense of fun, and something to keep my kids not only quiet but enriched. Oh, and bubbles.
Parents with little ones could cuddle on the mats closest to the stage – a lovely touch – but unbeknownst to us we were directly under one of the bubble machines mounted to the rigging overhead. Needless to say, as soon as it was turned on, we were mobbed.
The performance took us on a journey with Alex, the puppet, as he learned about the passing of the sun during the day. Alex is obviously well loved by his fellow dancers, as he came across as vividly as they did. The storyline was accessible, the choreography was welcoming, and the looping electric cello performed right there on stage by Jacob Shirley was perfectly suited to all of it.
Light Steps was inspired by Turner Contemporary Margate’s 2014 Summer of Colour exhibition by artist Spencer Finch. DancingStrong‘s director Adesola Akinleye collaborated with American-based sceneographer and costume designer Shelby Newport in the making of the work, which transports the audience to a colour-filled world of moving dance with live music.
Characters and objects in the work are inspired by drawing and dance created with children during a residency at Bromstone Primary School in Broadstairs in summer 2014.
Puppetry, dance, live music, and engagement, all delivered in such a gentle affectionate manner. It was a little slice of heaven, my kids loved it, and I want to go live in it. Circomedia, you did it again.
Dancingstrong performed Light Steps at Circomedia, Bristol on Sat, Feb 2. For more on the company, visit www.dancingstrong.com
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