Sadlers Wells, London
March 6, 2025
Twice-Born was a revelation in every way. Presenting the notion that humans are born twice through rites of passage, ritual, and community, choreographer Dickson Mbi offers a way in, a passage to this inner world of rebirth.
Choreographically, Mbi ‘rebriths’ many classic dance movements, giving them a twist, an edge, that creates a sense of danger, of something lurking just out of reach. His dance is fluent, flowing, and daring, with a graceful aerial dance at the end of the piece particularly captivating.
The Scottish Ballet dancers were outstanding, their technique sharp and clean with every movement perfectly in place. The ensemble dancing was just a treat to watch, the dancers moving as one in choreography that still allows the soloists to absolutely shine. Two of the female dancers in particular stood out. I’d love to tell you who but, unfortunately, names are not assigned to particular roles within the ballet.
Photo Andy Ross
The set, by Ruby Law, is terrific, adding menace, and a sense that the earth itself will always overpower the insignificant beings who inhabit it.
Twice-Born really is a super piece. It would be great to see it further developed into a full-length ballet.
The evening opened with Spanish choreographer Cayetano Soto’s Schachmatt (Checkmate), a quirky, energetic, 20-minute work inspired by the seemingly unlikely trio of Joan Rivers, the films of Pedro Almodovar and the choreography of Bob Fosse. It comes together a treat, though. Again, the quality of the dancing was excellent, the whole cast performing with a clipped, tight style, perfectly suited to the choreography.
As the title suggests, the dance is set as a chess game, played out on a giant chessboard. The piece is full of challenging, but stunning pas de deux work, some of which rewrites what it is possible to achieve in lifts and slides; the balletic entanglement of two technically superb classical dancers.
The costumes, by Debbie Dura, set off the piece perfectly, adding a light-hearted touch. The ‘Fosse-like’ music is taken from a range of well-known singers and musicians, lending a sense of fun and frolic.