Sadler’s Wells East was host to Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Interplay. A mixed bill featuring international artists, new creations and restaged works. I was met with a receptive and bubbly crowd, who were a mixture of dance aficionados and curious theatre goers.
The opening work Next of Kin, choreographed by PDT’s artistic director Marcus Jarrell Willis, was set on a bare stage with minimal/ basic lighting. Dancers burst from the darkness wearing preppy shorts, short-sleeve shirts and bow ties; delivering frenetic, characterful and agile performances.
A dynamic and propulsive violin score was the backdrop for this fleet of foot duo. Through mischievous and gestural movement language, the duet looked at two people navigating their world – sometimes in support of one another and at other times in competition.
The charismatic dancers filled the stage with energetic whimsy, comedic partnering and punchy-precise vocabulary.
Next of Kin was a short, easily digestible aperitif, which got the taste buds ready for more.
Bee sounds filled the auditorium, and the amplified sound of applause transitioned into the second work: Why Are People Clapping?! by Ed Myhill. Another fast-moving, quirky piece which featured comic elements, percussive clapping, facial tics, clapping cyphers and a very serious tennis match – featuring a net created by shadows.
The topography shifted from circles into vignettes, showcasing five strong dancers who used the theatrical device of question and answer to embody the hypnotic sounds of clapping produced by their counterparts.
Comedy played a huge part in this piece, including a line of performers producing punctuated facial expressions – like characters out of a Looney Tunes cartoon.
Maybe the message of the piece was that we all should march to our own rhythm, but it’s also important to come in sync with others.
Next of Kin became slightly repetitive, as the rhythmic phrases and movement seemed to reach its peak earlier on.
A silhouetted figure standing on a large rug, being slowly dragged up stage was the start of my firm favourite work of the night – Small Talk by choreographers James Pett & Travis Clausen-Knight. A sublime duet which featured powerhouse dancers Yasmina Patel & Dylan Springer. Performers who danced with technical prowess, expressive depth and palpable chemistry.
Small Talk explored a relationship – the turbulent push and pull, the tender and vulnerable moments, heartache and the ultimate breakdown in communication. This work was very clear in its storytelling, demonstrated an impactful narrative arc, and featured very effective scenography – utilising a weathered armchair, a simple lamp and a patterned rug to reinforce the protagonist’s journeys.
This extremely Intricate duet had the audience leaning in, invested, engaged and holding their breath… until the lamp was ultimately switched off, leaving us in darkness and deep in our own emotions.
Suite Release by choreographers Marcus Jarrell Willis and Yusha-Marie Sorzano was an ode to Hip Hop culture, ritual and community. The work was reminiscent of my youth in the late nineties / early noughties – the clothing, social dancing and the sounds all resonated with me.
A dream-like opening, evoking church-like imagery – dancers seated worshipping at the altar of the sound system – performers posturing on top of light boxes in a smoke-filled, loft-like setting.
The playlist for this piece was epic – our souls were uplifted by the bars spat by Kendrick Lamar. Dancers successfully lip syncing to their favourite artists – like they were icons on an MTV music video. The Funky beats and grooves which blasted out the speakers were the springboard for dance vocabulary which borrowed from Hip Hop, House, and Vogue styles.
The dancers moved with joy, enthusiasm and spirit. However, the sheer difference in movement vocabulary didn’t always sit well on all the dancers. The richness in the music and aim of the piece wasn’t always fulfilled through dance – sometimes there was a lull, and certain characters needed to be fully realised to fully capture the transcendent, euphoric frequency the piece was reaching for.
Suite Release is an interesting and at times an alluring piece, I believe the work could be an important calling card for young audiences.
Phoenix Dance Theatre has a company of passionate, committed and gifted dancers, a sentiment which was echoed by the audience’s standing ovation.
NEED TO KNOW: Phoenix Dance’s Interplay is at Sadler’s Wells East until 27 June 2027 | Book £10 tickets | See listing
