An evening of dynamic dance from National Dance Company Wales (From Hereford Times)

An evening of dynamic dance from National Dance Company Wales

1:15pm Friday 9th October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

EXCITING, mesmerising and, above all, utterly accessible. National Dance Company of Wales, formerly Diversions, brought their stunning new programme to The Courtyard last week and delighted an appreciative audience with three markedly different pieces - the hypnotically beautiful Hinterland, choregraphed by Roy Campbell Moore to Alun Hoddinott’s gorgeous Welsh Dances Suite, a perfect marriage of music and movement that took us on an emotional journey embracing both highs and lows.

Hinterland was followed by Veil of Stars, the NCDW debut of Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis, a dazzling piece in every sense of the word - metallic masks, glittering costumes and a new score by Julien Tarride - that commanded the attention as the dancers demonstrated their virtuosity on a stark unadorned stage made ethereal and slightly alien with the help of a smoke machine.

And finally there was Nigel Charnock’s first piece for NCDW, Lunatic, a wonderfully witty, often laugh-out loud piece with moments of dark and disturbing madness contrasting with moonlight and romance. The opening sequence, set to Glenn Miller’s instantly recognisable Moonlight Serenade and danced in pyjamas raised a smile instantly and, like the two preceding pieces, the following 25 minutes proved riveting.

The fusion of brilliant dancing, wit, humour and accessibility make it easy to see why The Telegraph picked NCDW as one of their ‘Top 10 dance triumphs’. If you missed the company on their Hereford visit, make a date to catch them on November 3 or November 4 at Wales Millennium Centre. To book, call the box office on 08700 402000.

• Print
• Email
• Share