Edinburgh Fringe 2024
Timeless
PRIME and LYDC
Genre: Contemporary, Dance, Family
Venue: Assembly @ Dance Base
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
During the year Edinburgh’s Dance Base is full of dancers of all ages taking classes. This also includes two in-house companies, PRIME and Lothian Youth Dance Company. Dancers from these two companies age 14 to 80+ perform at this year’s fringe in Timeless, featuring four new works by choreographers Katie Armstrong, Tony Mills, Lewis Normand and Alan Grieg. The programme notes describe Timeless as “a joyful celebration of dance, creativity and connection.” And indeed it is!
Review
What happens inside Dance Base during the year – before the Edinburgh Fringe arrives in town? Dance Base is a building with beautiful dance studios and is Scotland’s National Centre for Dance.
During the year it is full of dancers of all ages taking classes including two in-house companies, PRIME and Lothian Youth Dance Company. Dancers from these two companies age 14 to 80+ perform at this year’s fringe in Timeless, featuring four new works by choreographers Katie Armstrong, Tony Mills, Lewis Normand and Alan Grieg. The programme notes describe Timeless as “a joyful celebration of dance, creativity and connection.” And indeed it is!
The first piece featuring the PRIME company in a brief piece called Age choreographed by Alan Greig, is set to music by Polystyrene and the X-ray Specs. Fourteen dancers in black tights and bright colored tops with punk hair and move with attitude. It’s strong and gutsy to the loud rhythmic music.
The second piece Reflections? is choreographed by Katie Armstrong and set to music, Pulsing by Bryce Dressner and spoken words: Giovanna Skoufalou, performed by Samantha Cummock. Several dancers from LYDC in wide black trousers and tank tops in shades of green move lyrically with unison and precision in duos and ensemble motifs across the entire space in this fresh spring like dance.
Next is for me, the highlight of the programme, which is the PRIME company performing The Way We Hold Each Other, choreographed by Lewis Normand and set to music by Paul Prior (original composition). Starting with two people lying on the floor centre stage, the two awaken gently as if for the first time. They’re aware of the light and the space. This piece unfolds it’s totality and is so sensitively done by all fifteen dancers. Dancers arrive in ones or twos and settle on stage for their brief encounters, creating intriguing stories.
The concept is so simple, yet it is a perfect choice to showcase this company, it’s integrity, and it’s grace.
A male solo standout in blue short is emotive and fluid with visceral diagonal movement. Another pair of friends protect each other, others may be acquaintances or perhaps lovers who meet and share a brief rapport, that is often tender and warm.
In one of the duets, one character seemingly enjoying independence is sought by another – but the latter is rebuffed, was it simply the offer of friendship? Or was it a hint of control that was being declined – and the former’s independence valued above all?
These movement stories are very powerful, emotive and meaningful. Prior’s original composition soundscape is very interesting and suits this piece so well because it adds depth and various moods to complement the visual storytelling and not drive it. Words are not needed with such clarity of intention and finesse in this performance!
The final piece of the programme is Kids Today, choreographed by Tony Mills and features the LYDC in a bubbly fast moving ensemble piece with fascinating dance motifs set to rhythmic deep bass sounds, Der Elektrische Reiter by Die Wilde Jagd,
Timeless comprises four contrasting dance pieces that are all interesting and well performed. There is much joy in their visual storytelling.
