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theensemblegroup - The
Tour of the Year 2004 -
An evening of world premieres.
Strict/Free.
Choreographer - Christopher Hampson.
Music - Alfred Schnittke.
Cries and Whispers.
Choreographer – Norman Douglas.
Music – Gyorgy Ligeti/ Big Border Breaker
Dichterliebe.
Choreographer – Cathy Marston.
Music – Robert Schumann.
Blau I Negre [ Blue and Black].
Choreographer – Toni Mira.
Music – L’attirail, Jorge Pardo, Jose Merce, Bebo & Cigala.
Artistic Director – Norman Douglas
Lighting Designer - Guy Dickens.
Dancers - Here.
Company - theensemblegroup – email the_ensemble_1999@yahoo.com
Tour details - Here
Seen to review on 12 June 2004 at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre.
Run Time – 2 hours 20 mins with one interval.
Reviewer – Vivien Devlin.
Diversity of dance movement ... pure artistic skill.
Artistic director Norman Douglas, has a crystal clear, passionate vision
of what he wants to create on the dance stage. His aim is to break down
barriers surrounding modern dance and present innovative and exciting
performances to a wide audience. Alongside his own work, Douglas has commissioned
three internationally-renowned choreographers and handpicked dancers from
across Europe for this world premiere tour.
In the opening scene of Christopher Hampson's Strict/Free, a girl
in a white dress is spot lit, her supple body moving deftly to the changing
tempo of the Schnittke score. Four strangers appear and through strident
music, dark shadows and moments of silence, [Schnittke lost his power
of speech after a stroke], two men dance the tango, another couple share
an intimate embrace, as we are drawn into an uncertain, menacing world
of brief encounters.
Commissioned by Dance Base, Cries and Whispers by Norman Douglas
was premiered to great acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe 2003. Based on
themes of human need and love against a resonant soundtrack by Newcastle
band, Big Border Breaker - a recording of a moth flapping in a lampshade
- this duet is a blisteringly dark and disturbing expression of physical
sexual contact, erotically performed by Theo Ndindwa and Anna
H.N. Bussey.
Schumann composed Dichterliebe [ a poet's love], for his wife Clara,
set to 16 poems by Heinrich Heine. Cathy Marston uses the song cycle as
the dramatic narrative for a beautifully lyrical dance for four couples,
dressed in pastel blue and mauve, each representing aspects of Schumann
and Clara`s love affair. Intimate touch echoes the poetry describing "her
eyes, her lips, her cheeks" and feeling "rapt with love".
Softly lit, this is a delicate, delightful piece.
Barcelona-born Toni Mira is a phenomenally successful and sought-after
choreographer - winner of the Total Theatre award at Edinburgh Fringe,
2002 for Ful. Blau I Negro [ Blue and Black] explores how feelings
and mood are reflected by colour. The ensemble throw themselves into a
fast-paced and vibrant dance reminiscent of a Spanish fiesta or Brazilian
beach party. Rain clouds dampen the spirit until each dancer picks up
the rhythmic beat again. From energetic romp to sculptured silhouette
pose this is a fabulous, imaginative celebration of life and living.
The diversity of dance movement and pure artistic skill expressed through
these four mesmerising pieces illustrates the sheer professionalism, individual
talent and unique style of theensemblegroup.
©Vivien Devlin, 12 June, 2004 Published on EdinburghGuide.com
Dancers - Dylan Elmore, David Fielding ,Jenny
Tattersall, Joh Williams, Patricia Orie Okenwa, Theo Ndindwa, Anna H.N.
Bussey, Martina Langmann, Paul Farrell, Jennifer Chicheportiche.
Details of theensemblegroup's 2004 Tour. .
Tour begins
11 & 12 June at Edinburgh Festival Theatre.
17 June at Dunfermline Carnegie Hall, .
26 June at Glasgow Theatre Royal.
Tour ends
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