Das Bewenungstheaterensemble Köln 
Angels

Pushing the use of space was the most well executed aspect of Das Bewenungstheaterensemble Köln’s narrative of “Angels”. Scattered winged beings in the toilets and bar before the start forced you to enter their world. Light enhanced the creation of a distinct space, though also occasionally blinded. The music was slow and atmospheric, punctured occasionally by the shrill cries of a chorus of angels, and paralleled by the continual buzzing of a mechanical bird’s circular flight. As to the dancing, rather than ethereal energy, these six angels brought us hefty corporeality with a bang, or two. One section did stand out where five synchronised dancers alternated between groups of two and three creating an undulating pattern on the ground.

Jia-Yu Chang 
The Onion House  

Jia-Yu Chang’s solo brought us a gem-like mix of calm and abruptness. Slow carnivalesque and mechanical movements repeated to give way to a looser and faster echo. The angular shapes of her body ceding to softer circular forms. Always tight and controlled, the feeling of struggle emerged faintly but was not explored further.

The music alternated between the capturing chords of a cello and a calm but electric hum. The use of a white sheet was superfluous and the merit of this piece lay in Jia-Yu Chang’s expressive precision. Although left feeling that something was missing, as a whole this was a beautiful display of movement and control.

Dance Out! 
Duel 

A literal scene hosts a duel between the two dancers. At first one dances to baroque chamber music in a window’s sunlight whilst the other watches seated on a chair. Then, compelled by energetic drumming, the two begin to shadow one another across the stage. Seated once again, she climbs over him and the chair. Drawn into closer contact, the “Duel” develops and they begin to fight against one another.

Dora Frankel’s contemporary ballet background and choreography was coupled with an non-stereotypical duo. The development was well paced and the two dancers worked naturally with one another. Dance Out! exuded professionalism and was an enjoyable traditional breath of fresh air.