Michaelis Theatre
University of Roehampton
Sunday 3rd May 2015
Maisie Sadgrove’s bold choreography was executed with
strength and power by her dancers’ full-bodied performance. Set to Mura Masa’s
Japanese electronica, Lotus Eater was
a dark monochrome world of self-assertion and power.
Although Lotus Eater
is described as an exploration of purity within movement, inspired by the power
of the lotus flower in Buddhist and Hindu beliefs, the references to Buddhism
and Hinduism did not seem to emerge as prevalent ideas.
Nevertheless, themes of strength and power were clearly
visible in Sadgrove’s wide stances, deep lunges and striking lines. Riddled
with rippling torsos and long unfurling arms, Lotus Eater oozed with energy and weight. The choreography allowed
the dancers to assume a sense of authority and assertion as they executed both delicate
hand gestures and powerful, explosive movement.
Moreover, Sadgrove’s simple yet effective choreography
clearly reflected the idea of purity. With little choreographic embellishments
or over-exaggeration, Lotus Eater
remained clean and ‘un-cluttered’, which added a sense of style and finesse to
Sadgrove’s choreography.
Despite the power and strength of both Sadgrove’s
choreography and of her dancers, Lotus
Eater felt like unfinished business. The work seemed to finish abruptly,
leaving the audience wanting more. Having said that, Lotus Eater has a great amount of potential to go further. With deeper
exploration of the lotus imagery, and some refinement of the religious
references, Lotus Eater could be a
significantly robust and compelling work.
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