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Batsheva Dance Company

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Ellen West - web producer | 16:06 UK time, Tuesday, 21 October 2008

We're now about halfway through this year's festival of contemporary dance, , and I've seen a couple of good pieces so far. Last night at the Israeli company performed a piece by their artistic director and choreographer Ohad Naharin, and they were very impressive.

Batsheva Dance Company

Entitled Three, the piece is divided into the sections Bellus, Humus and Secus. Between sections we are addressed by a face on a television screen, which provides a disjointed commentary on what is to come. The dancers begin the performance staring out into the audience, and this directness is typical of Batsheva. Whether a pair of dancers is performing a passionate duet to the sound of the Goldberg Variations or the whole company are going wild to a backing track of electronic music, they seem equally skilful and dynamic. There are phrases from classical dance in the show, but they are mixed together with movements that are anything but traditional.

Dance is probably the art form that I have had least exposure to, because my past experiences of ballet and contemporary dance have been rather trying. I haven't found myself easily engaged; more inclined to admire the skill of the dancers than feeling any emotional response. It has proved hard at times to stop my mind from wandering. I'm not saying that during the past month or so I've got over my resistance to dance, but I might be thawing. Although I didn't have time to write about it at the time, I also rather enjoyed performing Proprius at the . The integration of professional dancers with children (some of whom had learning disabilities) felt natural and exciting.

What both of the above events had in common, aside from being dance, is that the audience was younger than usually seems the case at the theatre or opera, and that they were really excited by the performance - there was a real buzz of energy. I'd be interested to hear about any dance companies who you think are doing exciting work at the moment.

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