So we went off again this time Dad and the ballet dancer in the family to see Aterballetto, an Italian company. No trouble getting to the venue on time, right place first time and lemonades all round.
Did not have any cash so did not buy a programme, but was in three parts
One; Omaggio a Bach “ This starkly beautiful interpretation of Bach’s musical universe explores the geometric and structural perfection of his compositions.”
This opened the show with the use of light to outline individual parts of the dancers, and seemed to present light as life with rising of sun at the beginning and setting at the end. We were up close and saw the brilliant control, strrength and flexibility of the dancers. Unusually, as many male dancers as female, all with scultured bodies and a “six pack” Some amazing movements and great choreographed interactions between the dancers. Loved it as did everyone else.
Two: Songs, “a sensual and refined pas-de-trois”,
two male and one female dancers, with almost competition between them for her. A more classical dance with its movements, timing and power.
Three; Cantata, “Set to a live performance of Neapolitan songs, ….evokes the passions, colours and wild beauty of the Mediterranean South. Alternately feisty and fatalistic, raucous and heart wrenching, you’ll not only hear and see the seething southern Italian street life, you’ll almost smell it.”
I did not really know what to make of this, with its singing on stage from almost street performers, as well as the dancing. The efforts of humour did not come off so well, being in a foreign language. At the time seemed like “West Side Story” meets “Carmen”, with a bit of “lingus” and similar going on. Great dancing though and certainly different music.
Overall a great night, an exhilirating performance of grace, power, flexibilty, control and innovation. A variety of dances kept the imagination stimulated.
Eleanor loved it, and Dad was a pretty cool date.
So definitely a winner, so the score is 2 1/2 out of 3.
