Sadler’s Wells, London
September 5, 2023
What better way to start this September than with Alvin Ailey? Stepping back into the theatre and watching a show of such quality is the best way to lift the spirits and get ready for the new season.
Are You in Your Feelings? by Kyle Abraham is a fresh piece that portrays different human encounters all linked to the theme of love. Though non-narrative, its message of love and look at relationship dynamics was easily grasped. The dance itself is very technical but also easy and pleasant to watch.
The dancers set the atmosphere perfectly. They especially excelled in the more dynamic and physical moments, demonstrating just how much power and control they have over their bodies, and how versatile they can be. The work is very contemporary but also embraces more neoclassical and even urban styles, although the parts that incorporated classical ballet steps or pas-de-deux technique do feel a bit out of place.
in Kyle Abraham’s Are You in Your Feelings?
Photo Paul Kolnik
The music, a series of tracks by various artists, is quite upbeat and modern. Many would recognise much of it from being played a few years ago in clubs. Some of the cuts and transitions seemed a bit forced, however; like an old mix-tape that someone had put together without any fading in or out.
Are You in Your Feelings? works very well for the dancers, allowing all to show their individuality. Even when performing the same movement, each was able to give it a different colour and flavour which overall translated into a multi-layered, richness of quality of movement. Of special mention was Ashley Kaylynn Green who showed what the difference between performing a movement and ‘being the movement’ is. Her raw power, outstanding musicality, dynamism, and control was all showed at the finest. She was breath-taking, captivating the audience from the very first step.
Photo Paul Kolnik
For Four and Unfold are two short pieces by artistic director Robert Battle, but that is as much as they have in common. For Four is a very jazzy quartet where the dancers move at amazing speed while performing very technical tricks. One of the best things about the Ailey company is just how much the dancers clearly really enjoy their art; something just as clearly transmitted to the audience. It was a delight to watch.
Unfold is a very unique duet. A look at love, it’s sort of difficult to describe. I would call it a caricature of a dance: dramatic, exacerbated, nearly grotesque. Not your conventional piece, but it did not leave anyone unmoved.
Of course, any Alvin Ailey night must end with Revelations. It’s an iconic piece that always gives me goosebumps. This legacy from the past is excellent in all aspects. The dance, the music, the scenography, the props, the costumes… It all comes together to tell a story. It is amazing to see how simple details like the position of the hands, the wavy walking or the twist of a wrist can be so key when setting the image. Revelations is really a masterpiece and the dancers delivered it in the best way.
One of the best things from the night was leaving the theatre feeling excited and happy, wanting to dance, as the on-stage energy reached into our hearts. Alvin Ailey never misses.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are at Sadler’s Wells, London to September 16, 2023.
Ailey 2 tour the UK from September 19 to October 28, 2023. Visit danceconsortium.com for dates, venues and details.