Barak Marshall's Monger is a rhythmical and dynamic choreography which draws strength from the powerful choice of music. The piece is refreshingly physical in its choreographic language and this is well translated to the stage by the company's ten dancers. Although Monger is primarily dance, it is interspersed with an intelligent, never over-laboured, use of humorous and original physical theatre sketches. All of these sprinkles of humour are ingeniously simple and yet very effective; providing glimpses of universal preoccupations such as birth, love and power. One such interpolation is a cynical sketch showing snippets of a typical (maybe inevitable) life cycle.

The underlying narrative pivots on the routine of a group of servants and is inspired by various sources including Jean Genet's "The Maids", Robert Altman's "Gosford Park" and, more generally, the life and work of Bruno Schulz. The relationship of power, subservience and internalised rebellion is well defined and you witness the connection which exists between the servants and the almost deified presence of their "master", Mrs Margaret. However, Monger lacks coherence in the development of the relationships amongst the servants, despite focusing a large proportion of the choreography on this internal group.

The fresh and strong gestural movements are combined with folkloric dances, creating an interesting contrast. The physicality of the dance reaches occasional highs which become a feisty declaration of individual power; reminiscent of scenes from Carmen, the feistiness is often exuded by strong beautiful women. The choreography puts special emphasis on the gestures of the hands, as well as working with the weight of the body, which firmly roots the dancers. The music is a strong and varied mix ranging from traditional folklore through druming to sampled sounds of dripping water.

The only problem with Monger is that the choreography becomes a little monotonous during the second half of the piece and, along with a lack of versatility in relation to duos and other closer combinations of movements, this makes the overall impact loose the initial force it promised at the start.