Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
September 19, 2024
Re:Incarnation exploded onto the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with high level energy, intense colour and loud sound!
The 90-minute piece took six years to develop, and is danced by young Nigerian dancers. It tells the Yoruba story of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, mixed with Nigerian youth culture.
It is a non-stop assault on the senses, as the dancers take us through the ritualistically described three-part dance.
The performers’ skill in dance and audience engagement, is awesome. Their message of hope reaches out loud and clear over the footlights.
The music, composed by Olatunde Obajeun, is heavily influenced by Afrobeats, an explosive coming together of jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop and traditional African music. It is loud, with a great deal of drum, but also has an almost ethereal quality at times, taking us into the realms beyond, supporting and enhancing the dance rituals. The two musicians, Simeon Promise Lawrence and Daniel Ifeany Anumudu are outstanding.
The dynamic choreography is always engaging although there is a slightly overlong solo in the middle of the piece, and much repeatition of body movements. The latter are evocative in the context of ritual dance, however.
The costumes by Mary Peter Ochei are visually engaging, especially the masks and headgear in the final sequence. Look out too for the particularly effective fire sequences and Michael Abdallah’s lighting.
The QDance Company are touring to October 19, 2024. Visit danceconsortium.com for dates, venues and booking links.