La La La Human Steps, Sadler's Wells - review

18 October 2012

It's normally considered a put-down to describe a ballet as a good start for beginners but in the case of Édouard Lock it is meant as a guide to the art form's many manifestations.

The Canadian choreographer specialises in an extreme athleticism, with his dancers moving very quickly and extending their bodies to exaggerated proportions.

This super-physicality has considerable wow when
you first see it, as you can't quite believe the capabilities of the body or the possibilities of pace. Next to, say, the decorum of Swan Lake and the apparent chaos of dance theatre, newcomers will be intrigued by the variety of dance.

There's also a mildly transgressive appeal watching ballet dancers in pointe shoes performing in an un-balletic way - that is, stroppy and strongly, although we've long known that the frail, fainting ballerina is a theatrical construction and indicative of neither the performers nor the art form. However, having seen Lock's signature athleticism once or twice his appeal wanes as there are diminishing returns on his relentless pace and mono-emotional angst.

His latest work features 11 dancers - five men and six women - who move non-stop for 90 minutes with eye-popping speed and strength. The music is a mix of Gavin Bryars and Blake Hargreaves played live by an able quartet, and the set is filmed segments of women in white looking calm and still - a good contrast to the danced frantics. The evening has no interval and no change of costume, meaning you are bound to a performance offering little theatrical or choreographic variety.

As I say, this strains one's attention, although it shouldn't be taken as a critique of the dancers who are uniformly able. Indeed, the three-star rating goes to them, for all perform with considerable commitment.

Until October 1 (0844 412 4300, sadlerswells.com)

La La La Human Steps: New Work By Edouard Lock
Sadler's Wells
Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN

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