It’s pretty much a year and a few days since the incredible Peaky Blinders was at the Wales Millennium Centre (Review Here), so when RAMBERT come back to town you know you’re in for something special. DEATH TRAP, which opened last night, but has only one more performance tonight, is another fine example of what this daring dance company can do.
Before we go any further, the obligatory ‘turn your mobile phone off‘ message just before the show began really set the tone for what was about to come, and actually got the company a round of applause before a step had been taken, so kudos for that.
It also came with a bit of an explanation as to what was about to follow, which really helps in the first piece CERBERUS. It’s definitely not traditional dance by any means.
What followed was a fine, albeit visually challenging example of how you can turn death and loss into a night or pure dance joy. Actually, I say dance, what we also get in this double header from Director/Choreographer BEN DUKE, is a blend or speech, movement and incredible visual storytelling, even if occasionally you’re wondering where the story is taking you.
If you think about the Greek myth of Orpheus and his attempts to save his true love, you’re in the right territory for Cerberus.
As you can see from the reaction from last nights audience, they too were captured by this blend of performance and dance…..
Death Trap is a two for the price of one event, although the first half is a very fast half hour long. There’s an incredible live on-stage band, who really shine in the second piece, and of course the awe inspiring performances we’ve come to expect from Rambert.
The show brings together the 2017 piece GOAT and the aforementioned Cerberus from 2022. If you know Ben’s work or new to his style, this is a great place to start. Each is infused with his irresistible, stylish and accessible sense of dance theatre. It’s fair to say they are funny, but darkly so, and about as original as you’ll find on a dance stage.
Back in 2017 Goat was Ben’s first work for Rambert and uses the songs of Nina Simone. More than that however, it touches on all the things Nina stood for. I actually felt, in some ways it was a real tribute to her talent as a performer, arranger and composer, but also a civil rights activist.
Don’t expect an easy ride with Goat. It touches on some pretty sensitive areas, but retains a sense of humour too. The piece feels as relevant and vital as it did back in 2017, in fact even more so. There’s passion and anger in what is said and danced
Things happen in Goat which will surprise you. The use of a TV presenter throughout, who was as much a part of the ‘ritual’ as the company. It actually struck a chord about our media obsessed world and how intrusive it can sometimes feel. I thought they handled that really well, and with great humour.
When SHEREE DUBOIS performs these incredible Nina Simone anthems is when the story really draws you in. The use of the iconic songs we all know and love – ‘Feeling Good‘, ‘Ain’t Got No/I Got Life‘, and the most moving version of ‘Feelings‘ I’ve ever heard, will leave you as exhausted and breathless as the ensemble must have felt at the end of the climatic dance.
It is a stunning piece and one worthy of the ticket price on its own.
Both pieces are recreated for this tour by Ben Duke and Rambert dancers Adél Bálint, Angélique Blasco, Simone Damberg Würtz, Max Day, Conor Kerrigan, Joseph Kudra, Naya Lovell, Musa Motha, Aishwarya Raut, Antonello Sangirardi, Alex Soulliere, Dylan Tedaldi, Jonathan Wade, Archie White and Seren Williams.
An annual visit from Rambert is always a ‘must see‘ event for many modern dance lovers, and last night’s enthusiastic audience were certainly left wanting more and no doubt eagerly awaiting their next visit to South Wales.
RAMBERT: DEATH TRAP is at the Wales Millennium Centre for just one more performance this evening at 7:30pm, so you’ll need to get a wiggle on if you want to see it. For more details and book tickets, which start at £15 each, go HERE.
There is an Age guidance: 12+ (no under 2s) Please note that all under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult age 18+.
