Dance Roundup Spring/Summer 2007: NDT2
As promised, here is my account of Nederlands Dans Theater's performance at Sadler's Wells last Saturday.
On occasions where dance, lighting, costumes and music come together, it is one of sublime enjoyment. And Nederlands Dans Theater 2's Sleight of Hand performance is just that occasion. Philip Glass's Symphony nr. 2: Movement II commanded that of the otherworldly. His haunting music conjured two tall giants in the background - two dancers sitting atop a structure nearly touching the ceiling, dressed in black with skirts falling to the floor. Three boys in tailcoats come on stage like black jokers tease the audience, in tandem to Glass's haunting and slightly dark melodies. The composition of the two giants with their sharp angular movements, the three black jokers' strong leaps and the lone, sad dancer in white was the work of Lightfoot Leon (Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon).
I went because of Jiri Kylian - Chapeau and Sleepless were his works, but came away discovering the enjoyment of another choreographer. Watch an excerpt here, and be seduced.
NDT2 was originally conceived to prepare young dancers for the big move to NDT1. Over the years, NDT2 have become renowned for their experimentalism with different dance styles.
So they may be young, but NDT2 carried themselves with such aplomb. Can you imagine NDT1? I can't wait for their London arrival.
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