Wrath of God — a standout
MONICA Campbell McFarlane and the Movements Dance Company could well have a classic on their hands.
A signature work akin to Alvin Ailey’s Revelations and Gerrehbenta and Kumina of the National Dance Theatre Company.
That work is the Christopher Huggins-choreographed Wrath of God.
When this work premiered last year for the company’s 30th anniversary season it was a clear standout. However, this season, perhaps with more preparation the company was able to hit all the right moves in its delivery.
Set to the frenetic Dies Irae, the movement from Karl Jenkins Requiem, the dancers kept apace, and with sharp, military-like movements, fluid transition and against a black monochrome that was costume and set, pulled off the piece in splendid fashion.
A palpable energy emanated from the stage, seizing the audience, and by the dramatic climax patrons, just as winded as the dancers, did what came naturally burst into spontaneous applause.
Being the closing piece, Wrath of God capped what was an ‘okay’ night of dance.
The night’s repertoire — all remounts — was a tribute to Jamaica’s 50th anniversary and staged under the theme ‘We are One’.
The duet, Pathways, featuring the talented Jade Arscott and guest performer Levi Marsman, proved quite entertaining. Arscott, who wowed with her en pointe-work in last season’s Ceremony, was equally impressive in this piece.
The duo, cast great lines and shapes, some almost erotic, to bring across the story of star-crossed lovers.
The other pieces presented included Chosen, Bread of Life, Flashback and Rendering.
Perhaps the night’s most controversial piece was Metamorphosis.
Executed by a trio of male dancers, it was intended to explore the evolution of the species. Interesting concept, but the execution, though brilliant in some parts, raised a few brows in others, particularly the contact between two of the scantily-clad dancers.
There were chuckles and uncomplimentary remarks from the audience during this presentation.
This would be erased from thought thanks to the arresting presentation of Wrath of God, which should from now on become a standard at every Movement performance.
