Jo Turbitt is disappointed with this offering that's part of this year's EIF.
Tao Dance, a contemporary dance company from China/Japan, attempt to use the dance form in a very stylised fashion. A brave move which stems from roots in traditional contemporary dance and fuses with traditional Chinese/Japanese theatre concepts.
A move which is redundant and doesn’t really know what it’s moving towards.
The choreography lacks depth, connection and substance. It’s very linear, very flat. It could be the 21st Century version of Cunningham, but even more post-modern. The dancers move like paper dolls being manipulated around the space, looking restricted in as to how much they’re allowed to give to the audience, which will leave a dry taste of feeling robbed of a theatrical experience.
Very, very occasionally there are glimmers of hope. The dynamics and energy when used are brilliant, though the majority of the work was soporific, and the dancers are technically excellent. Let them shine more. Let them give to the audience. Let them dance.
Overall the work lacked everything that is enamouring about dance. Not a company I’ll be rushing to see again.
Tao Dance performed at the Lyceum and was part of this year's Edinburgh International Festival.
RSS