Dance Review

May 12, 2005 in Disability

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.