News

Corali Dance Company

17 April, Southwark Park Gallery

Star Rating 5/5

Fresh from well-received performances at the Tate Modern, the independent Corali Dance Company, which has performed in and around south London for 15 years, made its return to this more intimate venue, writes Mark Drinkwater.

In this production, a cast of seven dancers with learning difficulties deftly present two new works. Kissed is an ambitious and lengthy piece in which choreographer Donovan Flynn has devised work of varied pace. Starting with slow, understated movements, dancers move individually in formation - progressing towards more emphatic, sweeping motions in unison. Set to an original score of sampled sound loops, and accompanied by projected animations, this work has a highly contemporary feel.

The second piece, Refrain, is a shorter score created by Corali dancer Bethan Kendrick and explores different interpretations of words into movement. Like Kissed, this piece gives these talented dancers an opportunity to perform dance sequences that are a pleasure to watch.

For this production Corali worked with a range of professionals resulting in this thoroughly original arrangement of sound, animation and dance.

Unforgettably good, this show challenges conventional ideas of disability and dance. Catch them if you can.

• Corali will be performing Looped at the Croydon Clocktower (020 8253 1030) on May 26. Visit www.corali.org.uk  for more information.

Mark Drinkwater is a community worker in Southwark, south London.