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Theatre listings >
The Dearly Departed
- Dance - World Premiere
Concept/Artistic Direction- Alan Greig
Choreographed – Company
The company- Alan Greig, Sarah Storer, Tara Hodgson, Fredrik Persson
Sound score- Tom Murray
Lighting designer- Mark Parry
Set/ Costume Designer- Miranda Melville
Company- X Factor Dance Company.
Venues +Dates - Opened Traverse 1&2 Feb Touring
Reviewer - Emma Rushton
Outstanding movement of impact and touching undertones
‘What happens when I die?’
The all time unanswered question, X Factor made this question one to really
think about. Inspired by an exhibition at Edinburgh’s National Museum
of Scotland (Heaven and Hell and other Realms of the Dead). Alan Greig
interviewed friends and students over a range of ages, and questioned
them on what they think happens after life. Building on each individual's
stories and experiences Alan constructed ‘the Dearly Departed’. Using
a blend of sternum vibrating rhythms, vocal instillations of his interviews,
and …how can I put this? Outstanding movement Alan’s concept came to being.
The company physically interacts with the texts' content, unwrapping scenes
of impact and touching undertones. I enjoyed the focus of the performance,
even more so when the company also brought humour into the picture, there's
a surprise guest, (one that I will not be inviting to my parties.) Working
seamlessly as a team drawing us into this world of the unknown. The episodic
structure keeps you wanting to know more, jumping from moments of joy
and hope to, in contrast, hell-like atmospheres.
Some sections are extremely touching and then boom! comes an undertone
of loss, fear, torment giving me cold chills down my back. The dynamics
of this piece are also found in the lighting and sound, everything is
tuned to the perfect pitch. The basic concepts are treated with care and
given as a gift to their viewers. This is a piece you can take home, with
its factual texts on cultural beliefs and traditions, and the crisp pictures
of these being shown so smoothly through movement.
Each artist is vital in the creation of their images and the collective
vision such that you don’t know whether to clap or simply sit and smile.
My mind loved this piece keeping a keen interest all the way through.
With no offence to dance companies in general, here comes the but…’but’
personally in every show there is nearly always a few moments of mind
wandering to your shopping. But with X Factor I was zapped into the web
they wove around me. Yes this is dance that makes you want to see more.
X Factor keep up the good work and be proud. I liked it…I liked it a lot!
© Emma Rushton 1 February 2002
Tour details
1 & 2 Feb at 8pm Traverse Theatre Edinburgh 0131 228 1404
7 Feb at 7:30pm macRobert@Alloa Town Hall Alloa 01786 461081
23 Feb at 7.30pm The Lemon Tree Aberdeen 01224 642 230
26 Feb at 7:30pm Eden Court Theatre Inverness 01463 234
234
28 Feb at 7:30pm Palace Theatre Kilmarnock 01563 523 590
2 March at 7.30pm Paisley Arts Centre Paisley 0141 887 1010
6 March at 7:30pm The Brunton Theatre Musselburgh 0131 665
2240
Tour Ends
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