The Edge Between

Peak Talent offers young contemporary dancers and aspiring choreographers the chance to work with professional choreographers and, in some cases, to develop their own pieces. The culmination of the intensive workshop series was a fine night of dance.

The dancers, aged 8-18, had auditioned for the program. Some clearly had a broad range of physical training including in classical dance and gymnastics. They showed off a broad range of core dance qualities and techniques. All of them were disciplined, expressive and in quite a few cases exhibited that longed for quality of being in their body, the movement and the music which sparks into creative life.

The movements were within the capability of the dancers and age appropriate, so the dancers were stable or easily able to recover if a movement went a little wrong. The backing tracks were carefully chosen to provide a range of beats and interest. Lighting sensitively supported the dances and added a dramatic element.

The dancers were dressed in plain white or black costumes with just enough difference to signal some of the edges indicated in the title.

One disappointing element was the spill of voices from backstage which quite often drew attention away from performers.  While I’m sure it was intended to be supportive, perhaps a silent support signal for performances would be less intrusive for the audience.

This performance joyously demonstrated the dancers have taken a good step towards mastery of the demands of the highly disciplined, rigorous and creative world of dance.

Ruth Richter