Dance review: Janis Claxton Dance

Published on Friday 7 November 2008 21:06

**** BRUNTON THEATRE, MUSSELBURGH

AUSTRALIAN-BORN Janis Claxton is a relatively new face on the Scottish dance scene. Best known for her innovative Fringe event at Edinburgh Zoo this August, Claxton has proved that confined to a theatrical space, she shines even brighter.

The Falling Light tour is as much about music as dance. Enlisting the Edinburgh Quartet, the company performed three dance works, plus a beautiful solo by cellist, Mark Bailey. Most exciting of all for music fans was Claxton's use of Henryk Gorecki's Songs are Sung – giving the composition its Scottish premiere.

There is more to Claxton than musical nous, however. Her lyrical movement style manages to be delicate and strong, simple and intricate all at the same time. Using eight female dancers, including herself, she fills her choreography with lifts and jumps often reserved for male/female partnering.

Inspired by Claxton's research tenure at the Zoo, Torque proved what an intelligent dancemaker she is. The moves had a definite animal quality but relayed through the human body.

Most impressive of all, though, was the exquisite use of Gorecki's emotive score. The dancers gave 100 per cent in a display of grief, torment, comfort and support. Tight synchronicity, athletic tumbles and delicate phrasing conspired to create a passionate work that heralds Claxton as a force to be reckoned with.