Review: YDE Young Creatives 2012
What an amazing night! Some very talented young choreographers presented their pieces at the Young Creatives show at the Royal Opera House, London.
After a tedious travel from Newcastle, the festive atmosphere of the venue was like a breath of fresh air. The beautiful Royal Opera House welcomed its guests with stunning surroundings and a heart-warming reception. And then the show started. The professionalism of dancers was unbelievable; strong, yet intricate movement, raw and sincere emotion and exquisite dance settings. This night left me reassured that no economic and financial struggle in the arts sector will strip this country from talent. I felt truly privileged and proud to represent YDE and would like to share some of my impressions.
Jamie Neale, London – Social Indulgence
Touching on a very current topic, Jamie represented his thoughts about the global addiction to Facebook, Twitter, Skype and other social media platforms. In line with its amazing contemporary dancing, the uniqueness of this piece was due to its settings: costumes, music and visualisations. Clad in pastel tie-dye tops the dancers were performing to a soundstrack mixed by the choreorgapher himself, featuring a broadcast of the pros and cons of social networking sites. A very refreshing start for this event!
Bethany Pike, Clochester – Alter Ego
This beautiful and subtly dramatic ballet piece by Bethany Pike represented the battle between two personalities, ego and alter ego. Wearing net masks and gorgeous chiffon gowns the dancers showed the struggles of a world led by stereotypes where one is constantly faced by a tearing choice between the good and bad, ugly and beautiful, true and false. As a perfect ending section the group took their masks off and stunned the audience with amazing movements and genuine emotion.
Maud-Helene Treille, London – Métro, Boulot, Dodo
Métro, Boulot, Dodo (tube, work, sleep) is a French cliché referring to the tedious and repetitive routine of the city working life. Maud-Helene presented a ballet/contemporary piece featuring two dancers who displayed a number of very familiar daily settings. Starting from the morning tube to work, the piece progressed into the office setting showing sequences of repetitive ballet movements and routines. The stunning quality of dance and professionalism of expression had a strong effect and an engaging narrative to which everyone in the audience could relate. To finish, the dancers finally ‘escaped’ the routine imprisonment and found themselves in an illusion of the fresh-aired Alp fields.
Marcelino Ribero Sambe, London – Gocando
This was a romantic contemporary piece about the contrasting relationships of two couples, where as one pair adores each other’s presence, the other struggles to find mutual understanding. Pain, confusion and desperation – Marcelino sends the message that a relationship can only bring these negative feelings unless there is openness and sincerity. However, in a true Latin style, the narrative has a happy ending with the struggling pair finding empathy and love. The piece had a perfect mood for spring; stunning contemporary and ballet performed under the warm tones of scenic lights and accompanied by romantic music of Carlos Paredes.
Review by: National Young Dance Ambassador Aleksandra Svalova
Images: Brian Slater
Find out more
Youth Dance England
National Young Dance Ambassadors
Young Creatives
