Dance review: David Hughes Dance: The Chinaski Sessions - Brunton Theatre

By KELLY APTER
Published on 15/10/2012 02:36

Picture a rock band endeavouring to record an album in their living room, surrounded by friends, hangers-on, bottles of beer, pizza boxes and a worn-out sofa.

David Hughes Dance: The Chinaski Sessions

Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh

* *

Now imagine the rambling conversations they might have, the various ways they could kill time between takes, the nonsense that’s likely to ensue. Sound like fun? For them, probably. For those watching, less so.

The Chinaski Sessions has its rock-fuelled heart in the right place, but sadly, much like Last Orders before it, this latest work by David Hughes Dance is sorely lacking in focus.

Australian-born Kylie Walters is credited as choreographer, but in reality there’s less than ten minutes of actual choreographed dance in this 80-minute show. Which leaves a lot of time for ambling around the stage, lame attempts at comic dialogue, and the heavy drum and guitar sounds of Belgian rock duo, I Love Sarah.

When they’re finally handed some movement material worth executing, the five male dancers attempt to show their true colours. There are flashes of Matt Foster’s stylish breakdance, glimpses of Rob Heaslip’s authentic Irish folk dancing, and brief spells when Martin Lindinger’s ballet skills shine through.

The rest of the time, we’re just treading water, waiting for something of relevance to happen – something that makes us give a damn about anybody on stage.

For many years, David Hughes was a byword for quality, poignancy and entertainment. After the shambolic Last Orders and now this disappointing offering, would the real David Hughes please come back?