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★★★½
Renowned South Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn has created a refreshing new dance show ‘Dragons’, which is currently touring the UK in conjunction with Dance Consortium. Featuring intricate movements, original musical compositions, captivating lighting design and shining costumes, the production combines live choreography with virtual holograms, creating a piece of dance theatre that transcends locations and brings dancers together from across Asia. Although initially very abstract, with time you quickly realise how much dragons have inspired Eun-Me Ahn’s work, specifically in their perceived form and movement.
About the show
The company is made up of Eun-Me Ahn, seven fellow South Korean dancers and six guest dancers from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan who appear virtually alongside the company. The holograms have been cleverly positioned to imply that the in person and virtual performers are on stage together, made possible via a transparent screen at the front of the stage. Taeseok Lee’s use of technology is imaginative, paving the way for some incredible illusions that allow the dancers to visit various locations and also join from afar. Although the virtual elements came to fruition as a result of the pandemic and the world going online, they help to make this dance show engaging and in some ways have driven the uniqueness of the work.
Storytelling and pacing
Whilst the production is visually impressive, in my opinion it lacks a distinct narrative, which impacts the overall storytelling and comprehension. The first 10 minutes are slow starting and feature limited movements. Even though the theming is clear at the start and the dragon references are initially apparent, having seen the exciting trailer, I did find myself questioning when the dancing would really begin. That being said, once the contemporary and experimental movements really come to life, the stage is awash with beautiful colours which are symbolic of the Asian depiction of dragons. From this moment on I was drawn into Eun-Me Ahn’s vision.
Costume and lighting design
The most beautiful element for me is the combination of the dazzling costumes and varied lighting effects. From the levitating skirts which are born from twirling motions to the dynamic lighting bouncing off the fabrics, there is so much artistry to digest. Jinyoung Jang (lighting) and Eun-Me Ahn (costumes) have created an enchanting fusion of light and movement on stage.
Memorable and technology-focused
There is so much to like in this visual dance spectacle. It could just benefit from a slightly clearer narrative and some faster pacing at the start, as at the moment it is very conceptual and relies heavily on symbolism and interpretation. ‘Dragons’ has now finished performances at the Marlowe Theatre but it continues to tour the country until 26th March 2025. You can find out more information about the tour and upcoming dates via the Dance Consortium website.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘Eun-Me Ahn Dance Company: Dragons’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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