Young Associates - Four

Sadlers Wells

A celebration of four new, upcoming, young choreographers displaying their authentic voices through their choreography.

Young associates is a program run by Sadlers Wells to support young people from a variety of backgrounds. The diversity and inclusivity gives everyone an opportunity for their talent to be showcased and gives the pieces depth. 'Four' is a show that gave Four choreographers the opportunity to display their choreography to an audience. The attention to production elements was impressive and the dances were authentic.

The four works were: Dug meat by Roseann and Sula, To Loss and Hope by Maiya Leeke, Christ Alone by Elisabeth Mulenga and Toasted by Blue Makwana. These dances embodied each choreographers story and voice. This gave each piece depth and individuality. The production was a looking glass into what is new to come in the dance world and how these choreographers have taken their training and research into dance and made their own versions of styles to portray their voices.

This writing on 'Four' is a positive overview of the new upcoming works. Focusing on what the pieces stood for, their message and production/performance elements.

The Four Choreographers: Roseann & Sula, Maiya Leeke, Elisabeth Mulenga and Blue Makwana.

Dug Meat - Roseann and Sula

Movements choreographed in this piece clearly displayed a feeling of tiredness towards society and embodied the choreographers opinions of the current state of society. The dancers moved as a unit and engaged with production elements, it was high energy, fully embodied the choreographers voice and was almost confrontational. The choreography also displayed sexuality and queer relationships, as shown through how the dancers interacted with each other and there are some moving intimate moments.

Dug Meat included moments that were also animalistic, such as crawling along the floor and moments where the dancers seem to collide with eachother. In an animal fighting nature. The music was white noise, sounds and voice. Sometimes uncomfortable to listen to, which symbolises the discomfort in society the choreographer is showing. A very expressive dance.

Dancers for Dugmeat: William James, Skiye Edmond, Darinka Bojorquez, Sophie Ormiston

To Loss and Hope - Maiya Leeke

A piece that embodies the difficulties of living with an illness. The costume is a long chiffon gown, almost Martha Graham 'tube' style and the dancers throughout the piece are navigating how to move with the long costume. The way they move displays how when living with an illness you have to adapt your lifestyle to suit your needs. The movements are fluid and the lighting shows hope in moments that may feel dark.

This dance is interesting and has an insane amount of depth. The emotion and voice that comes from the movements is moving. The production elements compliment and embellish the movements to make the message clearer.

Dancers for To Loss and Hope : Annie Edwards, Emily Lue-Fong, Hana Carlson

Christ Alone - Elisabeth Mulenga

Religion is the main theme of this piece and the staging establishes the church/religious setting with a super natural element. The performance elements in this piece thrive, facial expressions, interactions between the dancers and the use of props. There is a dark undertone to the piece and spirituality is portrayed through the use of stilts, the dancers appear like ghosts floating through the air by the use of lighting and costume to camouflage the stilts.

The choreography and use of unison shows following traditions and rules of religions. The dancers fully commit to the choreography shown through their energy and embodiment. This shows how people are consumed and dedicated to religion. How it becomes part of them. Elisabeth Mulenga's background and her feeling towards this part of her upbringing are clear for the audience.

Dancers for Christ Alone: Adhya Shastry, Kirke Gross, Magnus Westwell and Steffi Fashokun

Toasted - Blue Makwana

A modern, high energy piece that displays how society picks fault in individuals, picks their lives apart and isolates them. The use of unison and having one dancer who struggles to be a part of the group clearly shows the message. Relationships between the dancers switch from working together, to dancing against each other and this shows how confrontational society can be. The dance is has animated moments where the dancers mouth along to voice overs and move in exaggerated manner.

Costume and setting give the impression of a boxing ring, there is even use of boxing gloves and this further emphasises society's destructive and confrontational nature. Blue Makwana has made a clear statement about the current state of society through her choreography.

Dancers for Toasted: Charlotte Edmonds, Serena McCall, Tanisha Addicott, Tabitha O'Sullivan, Kibrea Carmichael and Honey Makwana.

Looking forward to what new works these choreographers will bring to the dance world and how their styles will grow and develop. These pieces all had their own voice and authentic style. Keep an eye out for more work from the four!

Roseann & Sula, Maiya Leeke, Elisabeth Mulenga and Blue Makwana.