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Moves get repetitious but music lifts spirits

Date: January 21 2013

Reviewed by Jill Sykes

Theatre Royal, January 18, until January 23
Reviewer's rating: 3 out of 5 stars

THE most prominent quote in the advertising for Rian comes from a British paper: ''It really does feel like a party on stage.'' And there is generally a cheerful atmosphere among the performers in this work by the Irish company Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre.

But the description can be taken further, and it is not so complimentary. Like dancers at a party, the movement is amorphous and repetitious - not what you would choose to sit still and watch for nearly 90 minutes.

On the upside, the performers move better than most party guests. On the downside, they all do synchronised action: stomping and pointing feet, curving torsos, arms outflung or hugging the body. Again and again and again.

Just when you think you might be getting a solo with some individuality, a similar sequence is repeated and a second, third or fourth performer joins in - perhaps all eight of them - all moving in unison. And it is almost always seamless, no complaints about their ability to keep together, though some move better than others.

Once, a couple performs a duet that is different. It isn't much in movement terms, but it is such a relief to see something that is not the same, it becomes a highlight.

The music is the best part of Rian. Five musicians present arrangements of traditional and original Irish music, singing and playing on an array of instruments that include concertina, bouzouki, tin whistle, guitar, bodhran (Irish frame drum), harp, piano and the intriguing uilleann pipes.

Some of the music is mournful, but it is more likely to be buoyant and lift the spirits in diverse melodies and sound combinations. If only the dance had been as interesting.


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