Michaelis Theatre
University of Roehampton
Sunday 3rd May 2015
Set to Kate Nash’s charming love song Birds, Molly Simpson’s light-hearted tap routine was a fun, feel
good opening to the Student Dance Platform. As the audience enter the theatre, dancer
Louise Ware sits casually using her mobile, with a bright pink rucksack strapped
to her back. As the lights dim, nine other dancers, dressed in pretty floral
skirts join her on stage, standing in staggered lines on individual coloured
square mats.
While adding a certain quirkiness to Simpson’s She said: What?, the dancers’ physical
restriction to the mats seemed to stop them from executing the movement as fully
as they could have done. Yet, the quick changes of level from being upright to
suddenly low and grounded was greatly refreshing.
A conversation between Ware and the other dancers follows
Nash’s lyrics, reminding us of the sincerity of Nash’s love song and the
narrative unfolding in front of the audience. One dancer breaks away from the
others and mimes along to Nash, ‘you look well nice’, emphasising Simpson’s
quirky choreography.
Despite the complexity of the steps, overall the movement was
slow and relaxed. Nash’s touching Birds
added an element of girly sincerity to the work. With the addition of dim
lighting and shadows that seem to obscure the dancers’ faces, Simpson
effectively creates a summery evening feel.
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