Dance review: Scottish Dance Theatre

Published on Sunday 21 February 2010 22:03

DUNDEE REP ****

IT IS often said that dancers should keep their mouths shut and let their bodies do the talking. Largely because the coming together of dialogue and dance can leave an audience cringing, longing for somebody who can deliver a line with credibility. London-based choreographer Ben Duke is committed to proving otherwise, insisting that by giving his performers a voice, the dance is richer not poorer. If The Life and Times of Girl A is anything to go by, he's on to a winning formula.

To be fair, Duke has two things in his favour – firstly he doesn't try to turn Scottish Dance Theatre (SDT) into a troupe of actors, but embraces their talents as dancers. Those who do have lines openly state "I'm not an actor," then give it a go anyway, with hilarious effect. Secondly, he has Solene Weinachter, a French-born dancer who joined SDT in 2007 and carries the lead role of Girl A with remarkable aplomb.

Duke loses us shortly before the end with a few minutes of confusion, but overall the combination of Weinachter's comic timing and subtle emotional shifts, and Duke's synchronised choreography make this a piece you could watch again and again.

The second part of this enjoyable double bill was created by three choreographers, so it's no surprise that it works on a number of levels. Named after an old medical acronym for "not quite right," NQR brings together disabled and able-bodied dancers so seamlessly it looks like the most natural combination in the world.

That said, the work also glories in the fact that all 11 dancers on stage – and by extension all of us – are different.

A simple set of rectangular light boxes is used to great effect, and SDT proves once again what a cosmopolitan and thought-provoking company it is.