Rambert at His Majesty's Theatre
13 February 2014
Last night Edel and I headed out into the city for a pre-Valentine’s day treat!
First stop was Fusion in North Silver Street for a pre-theatre supper from the early evening menu. It was a good thing we were early because by the time we left it was heaving. My Pork and Apple Burger and Edel’s Fish and Chips were both excellent but the highlight was the chef managing to ADD anchovies to my Caesar salad on request! Oh, and the Thelma Sutherland Pinot Noir was worth a second glass to check how good it was...
On to HMT to see Rambert Dance. The three course selection last night was Subterrain, choreographed by Ashley Page, Rooster, with choreography from Christopher Bruce and The Castaways from Barak Marshall.
Subterrain is based on the chemistry of human relationships and pretty much allows you to write your own narrative. With a mixture of chamber music and ambient sounds in places it is quite dark. It is also quite a challenge to watch as with up to four couples dancing different pieces spread across the entire stage, you had to either focus on one or settle for a very general impression, or I did.
Rooster stole the show. Eight Rolling Stones tracks, starting with Little Red Rooster (obviously…) and ending with Sympathy for the Devil. The male “preening cockerels” of Bruce’s youth brought the house down. If you get a chance, see it.
The evening closed with The Castaways with the most extraordinary combination of music, from Balkan folk through world fusion to Soviet pomp and more, as the soundtrack to 12 tortured souls own version of purgatory.
The dancing throughout was hugely enjoyable and, although it is very much a team performance, the crisp verve and drive of Hannah Rudd throughout seemed to provide leadership whether she was back or front of stage.
Brilliant night!