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Push Birmingham Hippodrome
BRINGING together the talents of Russell
Maliphant and Sylvie Guillem, these two nights of performance looked set
to be a highlight of this year's International Dance Festival
Birmingham. And the evening did not disappoint. Featuring
three short solos then a half hour duet, all the pieces revealed just
how special these two performers really are. Former Paris Opera and Royal Ballet dancer
Guillem may be heading towards 50 but she remains intensely flexible,
sinuous and taut. The first piece Solo was created by Maliphant for
Guillem and highlights her strengths. Dancing to Carlos Montoya's
Spanish guitar music, it sees her creating powerful and dynamic lines
which have a hint of Flamenco infused into them. Maliphant, who now interchanges choreographing
with performing, then takes to the stage in Shift which cleverly uses
light to create strong shadows so that this solo piece drifts into duets
and trios as Maliphant interacts and dances with himself. Slow and
careful, he creates shapes which reflect back in a gently beautiful and
contemplative piece of movement. Two sees Guillem back in a solo piece which
begins slowly and carefully to a single beat and gradually builds in
power to a crescendo of movement. Intense lighting gives an impression
of continual motion until Guillem becomes a blurry whirlwind of dance. Finally Push sees Maliphant and Guillem come
together in a tenderly haunting duet. With intricate lifts and balances,
Guillem soars while remaining anchored due to the anchor of Maliphant.
The two are in perfect synchronicity so their bodies understand each
other, blending and separating almost independently of thought. All the pieces are given an added dimension by
the strong lighting created by Michael Hulls. In many cases it takes on
a life of its own becoming not just a spotlight but a part of the dance
itself. We are now in our third IDFB and if the festival
is able to attract performers of such internationally renowned calibre
then long may it continue. Diane Parkes
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