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By Rosita Boisseau
Dance travels. Critic follows it, All the way to Africa, from Lagos Nigeria “On Angels Wings” by Priscilla is a deep choreography that tells the story of loss and remembrance.
The beginning of the performance showed vulnerability, and her slow movement felt like someone choosing to rise again. She stepped on the stage with a calm presence that immediately invited everyone into her world. The music was gentle mix of piano and light drums filled the air.
Dancers are normally required to be soft of foot, so early on in the process they unlearnt this basic training in order for their movement to be heard. Who would have thought there were so many tonal variations in a footstep?
Dancers performed melting choreography as they weaved in and out of each other, arms.
At some point there was minimal dance accompanying the work, making it more of a play than advertised.
As a narrative work, it felt quite cartoonish, most dancers playing a caricature in some shape or form on top of dancing through the upbeat Uchenna style (African, contemporary, waacking and voguing combined with some hip-hop stunts). When they danced as a group they were a powerful force to be reckoned with, matching the energy of the 70s-style. But as solo performers? I’m surprised and sorry to say that it felt a little lacklustre.
Every viewer may interpret the dance differently, but for me, it felt like a gentle conversation about strength. The quiet beginning suggested vulnerability, and the gradual expansion of their movement felt like someone choosing to rise again. The scarf, floating lightly with their gestures, gave the impression of release, as if they were letting go of something they have carried for too long.
When the lighting shifted into deep blue near the end, it brought a sense of clarity and steadiness. After viewing the performance I felt calm and quietly inspired, like I had witnessed someone finding peace within themselves.
Too soon the work came to its dramatic end. And the audience brought the house down in appreciation for the effort and talent of the 34 dancers.
