The present is quickly contradicted by the future and thrown into the past. It is hard to imagine an otherwise except in memory. And memory is full of controversy and open to doubt and dispute. I do not know if this was what Imagining Otherwise was about. Yet as with many dance works there is always plenty of room for interpretation and the connecting of ideas. A place where thoughts may coalesce and come to rest.

 Flexer and Sandiland’s work is complex and richly layered. Alongside the five dancers who are on stage throughout the performance, there are some interesting digital projections and Wendy Houston’s text, spoken by Yael and one of the dancers. The three strands are weaved and plaited together, sometimes tangled and slightly discordant and at others creating a harmonious and beautiful pattern. The dancers at times work seamlessly as a group, magnetically drawn towards each other, playing and listening to one another in movement. However, there are moments when the connections are lost and the visceral magic that we have come to expect is lost and the show falls slightly flat, relying too heavily on the digital effects to carry it through.

Luke Birch stands out for his grace and athleticism. He trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and amongst his other commitments teaches at The Place. Damn Fine Dance are a privileged group to be co-led by him and Molly Wright for Home from Home. We will expect great things.

By Anna Mortimer