THEATRE REVIEW: Savages

SAVAGES at Cast, Doncaster (March 30)

SAVAGES

at Cast, Doncaster

(March 30)

THIS tale of love, lust, loss and sacrifice was a mesmerising, entrancing experience.

Tapping into ancient folklore and the mystery of the ancient North, Savages was innovative, enthralling and thought-provoking.

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Set on a dark, misty stage, the five dancers swirled, twisted and wrestled in the gloom summing up a mysterious landscape of conflict, magic, mystery and the supernatural.

It was all about shifting power struggles as characters played off each other, at times in conflict and at other times in the throes of passion.

In the beginning the characters seem to live their lives in an almost bacchanalian orgy then an outsider seems to bring confusion into the mix.

But towards the end there seems to be some sort of peace and love, a salvation from the chaos symbolised through a bright shining light into their dark world and white snow falling onto their black earth.

The choreography shifts from the manic and forceful to softer and gentler segments, bringing an impressive depth to the whole production.

The five dancers deserved the hearty round of applause at the end. Their work was committed, accurate, entrancing.

The production was held together by the mysterious and haunting music of Einar Selvik which had hints of a folk style and the traditional sounds of the northern lands known through artists such as Marie Boine and Ulla Pirttijärvi.

Einar is known by his stage name Kvitrafn from the black metal band Gorgoroth and folk band Wardruna, as well as creating the soundtrack to History Channel show Vikings. He’s a musician who knows how to create a dark atmosphere.

Savages lives up to its name, but it is a stunning and beautiful savagery that is well worth seeing. 

I look forward to future productions from Lo-Giudice Dance and applaud Cast for continuing to stage innovative dance productions in the area. 

ANTONY CLAY

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