Thick and Tight, a dance theatre company led by Daniel Hay-Gordon and El Perry, dissect identity and nature in this magnificent collection of performances. It poses the question of what is so unnatural about being different and what does it mean to be natural. Complex and bold in their form, they present compelling and satirical stories through dance.
With eleven performances, each exploring different forms of life, from humans to moths to lesbian seagulls, Thick and Tight have carefully curated a balanced set of performances that tackle white heteronormative ideologies through satire as well as more serious performances. The show opens with The One Horseman of the Apocalypse, performed by Hay-Gordon and Perry. A satire mocking Donald Trump as a big orange horse with his negligence and wide contribution to climate change, as they dance around singing “Drill baby, drill!”
Ode to the Last Nightingale comes next, a more serious dance performed by Annie Edwards. This solo dance consists of different portraits of the endangered birds in the UK, portraying them through intricate movements that mirror theirs. It is emotional in its quiet moments where Annie holds still in the beaming warm spotlight. In similar tones, Baldwin’s Roomis simply magnificent in its use of staging and lights; Azara Meghie is James Baldwin from the 60s, breakdancing in the shape of crack reflected on the floor through stage lighting. Combined with audio of Baldwin himself speaking in the back, what echoes is “Everyone you are looking at is also you”, a powerful message that encapsulates what Thick and Tight is aiming to tell in their show. Our differences are what make us the same, as we are all individuals.
Before each performance, audio descriptions and context are offered, helping to understand the stories better. Some are more personal. Hay-Gordon dances so lightly and gracefully on stage with his solo piece. An intimate dance that is full of emotion, your eyes are transfixed on his every movement, following him around as he spins across the stage, watching the gold hues of light pour around his body, highlighting his form. Outstanding and breathtaking, this is a dance that will stay forever in your memory.
So what does it mean to be natural? It’s about embracing your authenticity and individuality. Thick and Tight invites you to embrace yourself and reflect on how to approach and treat nature within the tough and harsh climate we live in.
Review by Rim Alkaiat
Featured Image: Thick&Tight, Natural Behaviour, BAC, PhotoCredit-RosiePowell. Performer Annie Edwards
Natural Behaviour runs at Lowry Salford on 10 & 11 June.
Tickets : https://bac.org.uk/whats-on/natural-behaviour/
Co-commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre, Lowry, Royal Ballet & Opera, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Corali Dance Company and Duckie.
Supported by Britten Pears Arts, BalletBoyz, Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance and One Legged Dog. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Read Rim’s latest Review: Shamik Chakrabarti delivers an outstanding debut show with Despite Appearances – Soho Theatre, until 3 May – Abundant Art
