Talented dance company leaves audience spellbound

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25: A capacity audience eagerly awaited the performance of Ailey II at the Ruth Seaton James Centre and from the very first moment they were spellbound by the young and talented company. 

The evening began in dramatic fashion with Echoes choreographed by Thang Dao and as the curtains opened the silhouettes of the full company forces began jolting against the red horizon background.

The Symmetry of the dancers and the ever changing group formations were wonderful as the piece developed, featuring beautiful duets and intimate coupling with bodies completely intertwined and seamlessly moving as one.

A short and expressive individual performance was noted from Yusaku Komori.

Splendid Isolation II was a heavenly ballet recreated by Jessica Lang from her original work Splendid Isoloation, with choral music O Maria, Stella Maris by Trio Mediaeval.

Soloist Fana Tesfagiorgis greeted the audience in complete stillness, adorned with a long flowing white dress which near filled the stage.

The beautiful movements seamlessly moved from the long and lyrical to urging and angular, leaving the audience completely mesmerized.

The male company then took to the stage with a heart pumping and driven display in The Hunt choreographed by Robert Battle. 

Their sheer passion and precise movement, completely in synch with the highly percussive and tribal music by Les Tambous du Bronx. A sense of tribe versus modern day warrior was created with explosive energy and raw power which nearly raised the roof upon conclusion. A clear audience favourite! 

Full company forces returned to the stage to conclude the evening with Shards choreographed by Donald Byrd.

Unfortunately the white noise generated from one of the front of house speakers detracted somewhat from the atmosphere created in this work, despite this some quite unique and electric movement from individuals continued.

An overwhelming sense of movement was evident throughout this performance which took every opportunity to showcase each individual’s talents before returning to the opening formation.  A stunning evening of entertainment from a truly world class group of performers.