Dance review: Richard Alston Dance Co.; Edinburgh Festival Theatre

By KELLY APTER
Published on 24/10/2012 02:29

It’s been a long time coming, but the student has finally eclipsed his master. Martin Lawrance joined the Richard Alston Dance Company in 1995, danced for 12 years then became rehearsal director, choreographing the occasional work along the way.

He’s long been one to watch, but last night Lawrance proved what a force to be reckoned with he truly is. Created to the edgy New York sounds of the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Madcap is a fast-paced, arresting work that refuses to let you go.

Four couples endeavouring to patch up the cracks in their relationship are continually thwarted by the malevolent presence of Nathan Goodman (who turns in a stunning performance, captivating from the first moment he appears in a solo spotlight).

Such a maelstrom of movement and emotion was rightly rewarded with the heartiest round of applause of the night. If Lawrance doesn’t head his own company in the next ten years, there’s something wrong in the world of dance.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the menu, we were served the always dependable, endlessly delicious offerings of Alston himself. The joyous, upbeat swagger of Devil in the Detail made superb use of Scott Joplin’s ragtime piano (played live by the talented Jason Ridgway). Building layer upon layer, a sparky solo gave way to a nine-strong ensemble closer.

While Shimmer did just as the name suggests, with dancers in sparkling cobweb-style costumes billowing elegantly in the wind to Ravel’s beautiful score.

Rating: * * * *