Jo Turbitt is completely enchanted by Plan B's latest.
Drink in the atmospheric Celtic melodies and absorb the moments which reveal themselves to you in wonderful natural beauty. Frank McConnell has conjured up an evening of dance which delightfully blends and ricochets off the energetic gorgeous music of Shooglenifty: a match made in heaven. The generosity and energy of both are infectious. Shooglenifty fans experience contemporary dance, dance fans are opened up to Shooglenifty—it’s like discovering a hidden extra on a DVD.
The evening starts with the dancers, whose inviting, warm and welcoming personas tempt the audience on to the floor to be part of the dance; out of nowhere you're watching and are enveloped in a ceilidh. The magnitude and beautiful energy of the dancers, the generosity in their spirit and their performance, is what makes this piece work in the context in which it's delivered. It is wonderful to watch an audience who have been experiencing music which makes you want to get up and dance... Dance! We become fearless because the performers have made the atmosphere so relaxed, welcoming and non-elitist. It's not about ‘can you dance?’ but more a question of ‘do you want to?’ If yes, then do so.
McConnell and his ensemble are like a band of whirling dervish pixies: they entice us onto the dance floor to experience the joy of dancing rather than observe it. He has captured the essence of ceilidh and injected it into his contemporary dance vocabulary. Whether they are dancing choreographed sections of natural sweeping, twirling, jumping and joyous movement, or dancing with us, the company deliver with every ounce of who they are. There is a magical partnership between the performers and Shooglenifty, who play with gutsy delicacy throughout the whole night; thank goodness for live music!
It is rousing—in fact emotionally rousing at times (mind you, play me "Highland Cathedral," "Flower of Scotland" or "Caledonia" and I get choked up). The whole evening is steeped in Scottishness. Knowing my fair share of traditional ceilidh dances, watching the adaptation of “Mairi's Wedding,” created by James B. Cosh, was heavenly as it unravelled in the space; in a way it made more sense than the original!
Just before the end, there is a surge of a "hell yeah!" vibe just before the room gets on their feet and joins in the festivities. The Shoogle Project is guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance; by the end of the show every member of the audience (bar 5!) were bouncing around having a blast. A stonking evening: package this up and sell it around the world... And bring it back for the Fringe please?!
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