Director/Choreographer: Dane Hirst
Conductor: Garry Walker
Journeys of the Soul is an evening of two distinct parts created by Opera North, Phoenix Dance Theatre and Jazzart Dance Theatre. Two cultures’ perspectives on death are danced and sung out on the stage, from the depths of classical Europe to the rejoicing celebrations of contemporary South Africa.
The opening act of the evening, a dance piece to Mozart’s Requiem, conducted by Garry Walker and choreographed by Phoenix Theatre’s recently appointed Artistic Director, Dane Hirst, takes viewers to an underworld of pain and suffering. The Phoenix Dance ensemble move across the stage in a manner less like that of people and more akin to a mass of crawling insects. Even as an ensemble, each dancer brings a slightly different energy to their movements until the whole group is taken by a primal urgency dictated by the Requiem.
This co-production between Opera North and Phoenix Dance holds moments of true symbiosis; the Opera North chorus provide a voyeuristic judgement of the dancers, who have transformed themselves into ethereal souls. However, these moments of connection are fleeting. For lengthy periods the chorus and dancers are two separate entities; not responding to each other or building the story together. At times, the four lead vocalists, Ellie Laugharne, Ann Taylor, Mongezi Mosoaka, and Simon Shibambu, become a part of the dancers’ journey, coming together through touch and eye contact but, despite the singers vocal power, their role in the story is somewhat unclear and underdeveloped.
The second part of the evening sets a different tone entirely. We are lifted from the depths of a Euro-centric view of death to a vibrant honouring of life; this second collaboration between Phonenix Dance, Jazzart Dance Theatre and Opera North rejoices with The After Tears, composed by Neo Muyanga. Inspired by both the original Requiem and modern responses to death in South Africa, The After Tears is a vivid celebration, with colourful costume, spoken word and infectious, life-affirming dance.
Using a mix of English and Sesotho, the Opera North chorus become a part of the evening in in a way we have not yet seen. The synergy between the chorus and ensemble is evident and creates an underlying sense of unity and shared humanity. Images on stage are created by both singers and dancers alike, the use of patterns created by all performers is reminiscent of the natural world and speaks to cyclical nature of life, death and rebirth.
As a double-bill, Hirst takes the audience to two very separate worlds and cultures; a personal journey for South-African born Hirst, and a journey which pits the audience as voyeurs between two very different cultures, inviting our judgement and encouraging self-reflection.
Runs until 4 June 2023.
