MOOD SWINGS

Choreography: Maurice Causey

Music: Mikhail Karikis

Costumes: Bodo Breg

Lights and Projections: Martin Grega

Netherlands Dance Theater 1

Mood Swings 2008

Dance Europe June 2008

Finally, the pièce de résistance came from the hand of Maurice Causey -- not a dancer but a ballet master now, and so represents the 'older' generation (in dance terms) of the choreographic trio that evening. Seldom have I seen a mixture of fun and serious art go together so well. For behind the façade of (camp) humour and amidst all the buffoonery lay a heart with much depth that was most engaging. Mood Swings can be seen as a modern-day answer to Balanchine's Four Temperaments. Different episodes deal with the Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic and Melancholic (in appropriate settings such as fire for the hyper Choleric, and snow for the cooler headed Phlegmatic). But there is also a strong sense that they are all jumbled up as character traits in the same person, and that at any given time a particular trait can gain the upper hand, leading to mood swings as suggested by the title of the piece. This results in a whole range of relationships being depicted in duets and trios. Where traits complement each other we see harmony and tenderness. Where traits clash we see misunderstanding and aggression, or sickly dependence where one partner is dominant. Causey's many years at Forsythe's Ballet Frankfurt is evident not only in the extreme and off-balance balletic movement, but also in the kinetic energy and fierceness that are awesome -- especially when danced so superbly by NDT. All eight dancers were electrifying, but the absolute star was Bastien Zorzetto, not least because of his priceless appearance as a transvestite in high heels. The work was a total attack on the senses with an edginess and immediacy that kept you riveted throughout.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Choreography:
• Maurice
• Causey
• Music:
• Mikhail
• Karikis
• Netherlands
• Dance
• Theater
• Mood
• Swings
• Causeymoto
• Bodo
• Breg
• Martin
• Grega