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A
chorus line
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago by Caitlyn McCarthy
For
their first visit to Britian, world acclaimed contemporary
dance company Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, are performing
in Brighton. Heralded by top toe-tapper Fred Astaire as
"some of the greatest dancing I've seen in years",
Hubbard Street combine jazz moves, modern ballet and theatre
dance to stunning effect.
Founded
by dancer/choreographer Lou Conte in 1977 to bring dance
to the community, since then Hubbard Street has flourished
into a $5 million organisation, acquired twenty two first-class
dancers, a community education programme and a resident
dance school in Chicago. Not bad for a company that started
life as four women performing at an old people's home.
The
company's varied repertoire has included works by many
respected choreographers such as Kevin O'Day, Nacho Duato,
Twyla Tharp, Jiri Kylian, Margo Sappington and Daniel
Ezralow. The performance at The Dome consists of five
varied and exciting pieces which show off the company's
eclectic performance. Artistic Director Jim Vincent explains,
"When you see Hubbard you don't get a sense of an
homogenous style. We're versatile and we try to work as
often as possible with the choreographers themselves."
First
off will be the company's latest piece Reverse Deconstruct
by Irish choreographer Marguerite Donlon. "Marguerite
utilises Irish folk dance as a springboard but you won't
recognise it as that. She uses this genre as a point of
departure," says Vincent. Set to original score by
Berlin composer/ jazz saxophinist Claas Willeke, this
witty, dynamic piece consists of eleven dancers dressed
in sweater tops and casual wear.
David
Parson's The Envelope was acquired by Hubbard Street in
1986 and is one of the company's favourites. Set to Rossini
overtures and inspired by correspondence, this quirky
piece utilises seven dancers and one envelope which is
always present on stage.
American
choreographer Trey McIntyre created Split for the company
in 2000. Set to an improvised jazz score by Art Blakey,
it's a retro piece but taken to a new level. The dancers
are dressed in hip Diesel jeans and shirts, allowing swinging
movement to the music.
Let's
call the whole thing off is about a couple who can't live
with or without each other. Following the company's tradition,
it's an entertaining and accessible piece but it has a
twist. Jim Vincent's not giving anything away, "The
twist is the thing that separates it from other contemporary
theatre dance companies like Stomp. But I'm not telling,
you'll just have to go and see it!"
For
the grand finale, Daniel Ezralow's exhilirating Read My
Hips can only be described as an attack on the senses.
The piece gradually builds up steam, using physically
demanding, athletic moves and high-tech lighting, finally
imploding on itself.
"People
often want me to tell them about the pieces but they have
to speak for themselves. It inspires emotions that you
just can't put into words," says Vincent. That's
the beauty of dance. Go see.
Hubbard
Street Dance Chicago will be performing at the Dome Concert
Hall May 14 and 15.
For
more event details see www.brighton-festival.org.uk
or pick up a copy of the Festival brochure or this month's
The Insight magazine
copyright New Insight 2002
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