Review: Ballet Black Double Bill at The Lowry

Image credit: Bill Cooper

Reviewer: Rachel Foster

Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A double bill at The Lowry ‘Then and Now,’ and ‘The Waiting Game,’ is performed by Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black, a professional ballet company founded in 2001 that celebrates performers of black and Asian descent. They have developed diverse audiences across the country and The Lowry hosts the opening night of their 2021 autumn tour. 

This show is a work of artistic genius…

Act 1 is entitled ‘Then and Now.’ It commences in a spine-tingling manner as poet and activist Adrienne Rich’s work ‘Dark Fields of the Republic,’ is an accompaniment to the dancers moves. This has been pre-recorded to run alongside. 

Fiona L Bennett the Director of Poetry has chosen well. ‘What kind of times are these?’ the opening line is uncannily accurate and fitting for the post covid climate. So begins an exhilarating first act of music, poetry and dance that is holy evocative. 

 The award-winning choreographer Will Tuckett gives the dancers a stunning and powerful piece to perform. There are so many layers and it makes for a hypnotic, breathtaking watch that resonates. 

Emotive and moving, at once joyous, then melancholic, and then playful. The dancers are skilled in bringing this alive; touching the hearts and souls of their audience who are in for a creative awakening during the thought-provoking spectacle. Music is a solo violin composed in 1676 by Heinrich von Biber, which enhances the mood and the energy of the performance – sombre and repetitive.  

The second half has a different energy altogether although draws on similar themes, with music by Etta James and Ljova and the Kontraband, this section is choreographed by a second award-winning choreographer, Mthuthuzeli November who also performs. Costumes designed by Peter Todd are a marvellous distressed Pierrot vibe. Again a philosophical piece explores the mundanity of the 9-5 life where the main character is unravelling before us. A moving door is used intriguingly as a prop. Every bit of the space is utilised as the sound of a clock ticks in the background. 

Truly awe-inspiring, a ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ dance spectacular…

This show is a work of artistic genius and creative force which spins like a tornado to etch in your psyche. The response and enthusiasm of the performance reached a standing ovation. This was a truly awe-inspiring, a ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ dance spectacular. It will be difficult to top this ambitious offering. 

-Rachel Foster

Ballet Black plays at The Lowry, Salford until Wednesday 13 October 2021.