Scottish Ballet flexed its muscles last to show what a talented, versatile company it is by presenting three, contemporary works.
The first was a bonus, not on the original programme, a short solo featuring dancer Christopher Harrison, choreographed by Jack Webb who also wrote the music to accompany it.
Using two white chairs, Harrison stripped off his clothes to perform in a pair of white Y-fronts, then balanced precariously on one chair, angled against the other, while performing a series of outstanding moves which showed courage, athleticism and a superbly toned physique.
Sophie Laplane’s exciting new work, Sibilo, was first class – mesmerising and humorous. Featuring four male and four female dancers who danced together then split to dance in various duets, trios and quartets, it was immensely energetic.
One movement, featuring two male dancer wearing the same jacket, was reminiscent of an early Hollywood film and has us wondering ‘how do they do that?’
The final piece, Emergence, created by Crystal Pite, one of the world’s most sought after choreographers, was largely an ensemble piece, with at times more than 30 dancers competing for your attention. With amazing flexibility, they shaped themselves to move like an army of ants and scurrying insects.
Emerging from a sunlit tunnel onto a dark stage with an eerie, underground feel, the piece took on an other-worldly atmosphere as the dancers, many of the girls were on point throughout, created a dazzling series of continually changing hypnotic patterns that earned them well deserved cries of “bravo” from the appreciative audience.
Scottish Ballet was at Eden Court until Saturday, October 8 and will be at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen from October 14-15 (01224 641122).