The Linbury Theatre in London was the setting for a powerful and brilliant evening of contemporary dance this week, as the Yorke Dance Project presented its Modern Milestones programme. The rich and excellent collection featured both revived 20th-century gems and exciting new premieres, showcasing the enduring power of physical expression.
Graham's Intensity and Bruce's Inventive Return
The energy was palpable from the first moment, notably in dancer Amy Thake's astonishing performance in Martha Graham's 1937 solo, 'Deep Song'. Created in response to the Spanish Civil War, the six-minute piece is a masterclass in Graham's stripped-to-the-core style, where a single, thrusting foot can convey immense strength and intention. It is a stark portrait of exhaustion and resilience, performed with exacting weight and grace.
Alongside this historical revival, the programme celebrated new work. The most anticipated was 'Troubadour', the first new piece in over a decade from renowned choreographer Christopher Bruce, now 80. Best known for 'Rooster' set to the Rolling Stones, Bruce this time turned to the atmospheric songs of Leonard Cohen. The work, featuring three-piece suits and wine-red dresses, evokes a smoky, half-remembered club scene. Bruce avoids the obvious in his couplings, inventively exploring love and fallibility through tango-infused movements and endless rhythmic variations within a 4/4 beat, proving his craft remains undimmed.
Promising New Talent and a Masterful Finale
The evening also highlighted emerging choreographic voices. Up-and-coming artist Liam Francis presented 'Cast|X|', set to a Jethro Cooke soundtrack featuring fragments of film dialogue. While drawing parallels to Crystal Pite's work, Francis's movement is more amorphous, conjuring sensations of guilt, uncertainty, and interconnectedness without sharp definition, marking him as a promising talent to watch.
The undisputed highlight of the night was 'Lacrymosa', created for the company in 2015 by the late Robert Cohan. Inspired by the idea of Mary losing her son Jesus to his calling, the piece benefits from Cohan's background with Martha Graham. It is choreographed with a masterful economy—there is no small talk, yet it speaks volumes. Danced with stark beauty by Jonathan Goddard and Eileih Muir, the work uses bold, stylised strokes to emanate a profound and deeply human emotion.
A Rich Tapestry of Dance Heritage
The programme was rounded out by other revivals, including Bella Lewitzky's 'Kinaesonata' from 1970, performed with racing speed and millimetric accuracy. This bold curation by Yorke Dance Project successfully bridged decades of modern dance, honouring foundational figures while propelling the art form forward with fresh perspectives. The Modern Milestones season continues at the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London, until 22 January, offering a compelling journey through the evolution of contemporary dance.
