With a dance version of Dickensīs A Christmas Carol, a collaboration with Greek composer Vangelis and his touring show Silent Lines, the questing choreographer is busier than everIīm lost on an industrial estate in Acton, west London, looking for Russell Maliphant. Thereīs an anonymous door, behind it a dusty workshop, then another door. I push through to find a dark, cocoon-like studio with the hushed atmosphere of intense creation. The bodies of five dancers are blurred by ripples of light projected over them. Maliphant sits in front, monk-like in his focus.The seamless spirals of the movement are instantly recognisable as the serious, soft-spoken choreographerīs work. His mesmerising pieces, including Push and AfterLight, have won many prizes - Maliphant picked up the best independent company trophy at this monthīs National Dance awards - but his presence in the dance world is not as loud as some of Britainīs other major players.The Thread is at Sadlerīs Wells, London, 15-17 March. Silent Lines is at DanceEast, Ipswich, 5-6 April. Then touring. Continue reading...
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