Brighton Fringe Festival and particularly the collection of Warren venues continues its tradition of innovative forward thinking programming with 201 Dance Company’s If You Leave.
FOLLOWING a brief yet successful run in London and ahead of its Edinburgh stint this August If You Leave is a must for both dance fans and newbies to the contemporary movement.
Contemporary dance narrative can too often be so involved in its own desire to impress itself that as its audience leave bemused bewildered or bored, the production company congratulate one another on their ability to confuse the ignorant. Not so here. Creator and principal performer Andrea Walker has blended perfectly a modern accessible hip-hop street style choreography with intelligence and sensitivity to explore the public intimacy of relationships on the gay scene.
You cannot help but find yourself both moved and simultaneously infuriated by the intense passion explored between two young men only to watch their relationship dissipate within moments as another appears, distracting the attentions of the first.
It is both engaging and uncomfortable viewing. Whilst the publicity would suggest this performance is one for the gay boys, the girls would be missing out if they thought there was nothing for them here.
Walker’s direction explores a young gay community that addresses both genders, and the moment where we observe those awkward first steps into sexual intimacy explored here through two female dancers, is as touching as it is amusing.
And whilst contemporary purists may twitch at 201’s blend of a popular street style within a more expected soundscape, they can jog on and leave any spare tickets for the rest of us. My only grumble here is that with only two performances and both on May 20th, too many of you are going to miss it.
Event: If You Leave
Where: The Warren Main House (Venue 58), St Peter’s Church, Brighton, BN1 4GU
When: May 20
Time: 4.30 and 7.30pm
Tickets: £11.00 (£9.50 conc)
To book tickets online, click here:
For more information about 201 Dance Company, click here:
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