How Long Is Mark Morris Dance Group Layla and Majnun Review
We often talk nigh the universality of music – nearly how it can unite us fifty-fifty if we have no common language or shared core culture. The same applies perhaps fifty-fifty more so to dance. Back in 1980, I went to live exterior of Uk for the commencement time – 3 years in Kingdom of the netherlands. Although non a long manner away physically it certainly was and so in other ways, not least in The Arts. In those pre-internet and pre-satellite TV days we relied on local television and local live performances for our entertainment. Dutch theatre was (initially anyway) off limits just the non-exact media of concerts and the ballet were a good pick. It was and so that nosotros discovered the Nederlands Dans Theater and the piece of work of their bright immature Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián. This superb modern trip the light fantastic toe Grouping created original works which were on the cusp of modern trip the light fantastic toe and ballet but actually defied categorisation.
Perchance of all the creative media dance most gives artistic artists the liberty to innovate – which brings the states to Marker Morris. From his ground-breaking debut in New York in 1980 he has stretched the boundaries of the possibilities of what dance can achieve.
"Layla and Majnun" is firmly in the long line of Mark Morris's original piece of work. The story is a "star-crossed lovers" tragedy which originates in the Middle East and Asia but in this example derives from Azeri composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli's opera from the early 20th Century. This iii-60 minutes work has been pared down to simply over an hour by the "Silkroad Ensemble", Yo-Yo Ma's extraordinary sleeping accommodation orchestra who perform the work on phase with the dance taking identify around them. The music is lyrical and flowing with a strong Eastern audio and vocals played on a mix of western and eastern instruments. Mark Morris has reflected the music in his choreography which is as flowing and expressive. Although the story is distressing the music is never discordant and the dancers' moves seem sorrowful, but never angry. There is a sense of unavoidable destiny from the start. The design, past the belatedly Howard Hodgkin, is also understated and the costumes emphasise one of the themes, the different roles of men and women in this imaginary world. The men are in a vivid, but not warm blue, and the women in a red that is almost, simply not quite vibrant.
1 of Mark Morris's trademarks is the diversity of his casts – gender stereotypes simply employ if the drama requires it and his dancers vary in every manner – physically also as in their natural trip the light fantastic toe style. I noticed particularly how the dancers had the liberty to interpret the choreography – manifestly within boundaries, but they were individuals besides as beingness part of an ensemble. This doesn't happen in the usual Corps de Ballet! Some of the movements reminded me of Kylián all those years ago – particularly the apply of the hands. This is a restrained, poignant and engaging work – a timely reminder that music and dance can be part of the process of healing when at that place are forces around us driving usa apart.
Review by Paddy Briggs
Created past the American choreographer Mark Morris, produced by Mark Morris Dance Grouping, in collaboration with the Silkroad Ensemble – the musical collective founded by Yo-Yo Ma – Layla and Majnun makes its UK debut from Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 November at Sadler's Wells. Layla and Majnun is a Sadler's Wells 20th Anniversary Commission.
The ancient story of Layla and Majnun is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern sociology. Morris' production bases itself on Uzeyir Hajibeyli'due south 1908 Azerbaijani opera, portraying the classic story. This will be the showtime fourth dimension that an adaptation of Layla and Majnun on this scale has been presented in the UK.
Madness and mysticism intertwine with the idea of eternal love as Majnun is driven mad over his unobtainable love for Layla. 16 dancers interpret the narrative, tailoring their movements to profound, improvised music, sung in the style of mugham by father and girl vocalists Alim Qasimov and Fargana Qasimova. Traditional Asian instruments as well play in harmony with Western strings and percussion.
Featuring costume and set design by Howard Hodgkin, including a department from Love and Death (2015), lighting design by James F. Ingalls, with musical arrangement by Colin Jacobsen and Johnny Gandelsman.
Listings information:
UK PREMIERE
Mark Morris Dance Group & Silkroad Ensemble
Layla and Majnun
Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 November
Sadler'south Wells, EC1R 4TN
https://www.sadlerswells.com/
Source: https://www.londontheatre1.com/reviews/mark-morris-dance-group-silkroad-ensemble-layla-and-majnun/
0 Response to "How Long Is Mark Morris Dance Group Layla and Majnun Review"
Post a Comment