Code Butterfly

Published on Saturday 9 June 2007 00:29

CODE BUTTERFLY ***

DRILL HALL, EDINBURGH

"CAN you unravel the code?" asks the publicity flyer for Code Butterfly. This, it transpires, is just one of many questions demanding answers. The initial inquiry, "why isn't there any dance in the Leith Festival?" got the ball rolling. Leith-based choreographers Christine Devaney and Jennifer Paterson spotted a gap in the cultural market and set about filling it. The end result is a community event that entertains and inspires.

The next question on the organisers' lips was "how can we involve local people in dance?" The answer: cast 16 teenagers from nearby youth groups and all their friends and families will come and watch.

As for the audience, we had lots of questions, most of which revolved around the spooky corridors of the Drill Hall. Led from one dimly lit staircase to the next, we wondered what was going to happen next and would it scare us? Judging by the bewildered looks and sharp intakes of breath from the younger element, the answer was yes.

Starting with some well-crafted aerial work in the main hall, Code Butterfly opened its wings and flew. As we worked our way round the building, encountering all manner of movement and mystery, the young dancers stayed focused throughout, while three professional dancers showed us - and fellow cast members - what years of training can achieve.

At times, it felt as though serious ideas underpinned the action but the audience wasn't quite privy to them. Communicating those would have given the piece more poignancy, especially for an audience new to dance.

Butterflies emerge from cocoons, transformed into something fresh and new. Clearly, the same can be said of the young people taking part in this show. That alone is worth the ticket price.