It’s a night of contrasts for the Scottish Ballet, with a poised and crisp neoclassical ‘Song of the Earth’ from Kenneth MacMillan, and a brave and original piece entitled ‘Kings 2 Ends’ from Jorma Elo that is visceral and arresting from the onset. The incredible opening to Steve Reich’s pulsating ‘Double Sextet’ introduces repeated motifs with vigour – tense hands are observed quizzically by the dancer, visibly controlling the body in a disjointed swimming gesture. It’s somehow senseless but undeniably fervent. The bittersweet reflection on mortality in ‘Song of the Earth’ on the other hand, is more graceful and sombre, and the final poignant scenes are exceptionally elegant and soft from principle Sophie Martin. The two works present a poetic balance of passion and masterful precision.
Edinburgh Playhouse, 26 – 28 Aug, 7.30pm (9.30pm), £12.00 – £44.00, eifpp10.
tw 4/5
[ru]
Sections: by Rohanne Udall - ED2011 International Festival Reviews - tw rating 4/5 | Tags: Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Playhouse
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