11th March 2010

ReView: SHUNT dance production

Review by Katherine Locke

THIS year’s collaborative dance production SHUNT at Bridport Arts Centre proved once again that Bridport is packed full of talented young people.

The show included approximately fifty performers and their exceptional ability and commitment was evident throughout.

Produced by the fabulous Nikki Northover, there were a total of seventeen dances, showcasing a variety of styles from tap to contemporary. Each piece was a perfect expression of joy and exuberance, received with gusto by an appreciative audience.

The tone and tempo of the evening varied from contemplative solo pieces to riotous group tap sessions.

The senior dancers (including Rebecca Whaley, Tess Bide, Nat Leppard, Connie Treves, Paris Halkes-Wellstead, Emily Meech, Kia Rait-McDonald and Cat Lowndes) were very impressive.

They were good last year; this year they showed a maturity and skill that would grace any professional production.

Their ability to interpret themes and express themselves through a variety of dance styles proves that they really have what it takes to succeed and is testament to the hard work they have put in over the last twelve months.

With additional choreography from Niki McCretton, Nikki Penfold, Xavi Monreal and Zoe Buttling, SHUNT was also an opportunity for experienced choreographers to contribute to local dance. We are very fortunate to have such talented professionals willing to share their expertise with the young people of Bridport.

A special mention has to go to the singers this year, in particular Lauren Robinson, Rebecca Whaley and Jodie Glover, who were able to sing unaccompanied and hold the audience spellbound with their clear and confident voices. The wonderful Sammy Hurden who arranged all vocals for the show led the singers.

The first half of the show consisted of a series of short pieces, whilst the second half consisted of a long collaborative piece choreographed by Niki McCretton and Nikki Northover, alongside input from the students themselves.

This superb and ambitious piece on the theme of memory and chance meetings drew on the student’s own memories as well as exploring the way we ‘hold’ onto them.

This dance used the whole auditorium, not just the stage, and dancers surrounded the audience.

Those who were dancing out of sight were filmed and the images projected onto the stage. This device enabled the audience to experience the sensation of peeping into another person’s memory at the same time as they were being created.

This piece was enhanced by the brilliant music originally composed by Andrew Dickson.

The looping, cyclical nature of the sound perfectly matched the theme and was performed live on the night.

The violinist, Bridget Pearce, was superb and once again the audience were treated to professional standards in a local youth show.

One last mention has to go to Julio Guarita who choreographed and performed his own piece entitled After Bessonova. It was breathtaking well executed and an absolute treat to watch.

Unfortunately, there are too many performers to mention individually, they were all fantastic and the enthusiasm, energy and commitment they bring to the performance is inspirational.

Can’t wait until next year.

PICTURE: Rebecca Whaley and Paris Halkes Wellstead

ReView: SHUNT dance production

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