Sat 24 Mar 2007, ICIA Arts Theatre
Henri Oguike, hailed as one of the most musical choreographers of his generation, returned with his eight-strong company to present four contrasting and musically diverse pieces, including the new Green in Blue and Little Red.
In Green in Blue Henri made his first foray into jazz in an exciting collaboration with internationally renowned saxophonist and composer Iain Bellamy. The dancers sparked off Iain’s live band, infusing a crisp yet playful energy into this full company work. By contrast, two of Vivaldi’s magnificent violin concertos breathe fire into Little Red.
Inspired by Blake’s poem The Tyger, the plucked strings and springy lines of Steve Martland’s score were reflected in the dancers’ sinuous and feline movements in Tiger Dancing. Set to guitarist Ali Farka Toure’s beautiful Saharan blues, Expression Lines saw Henri evoke the harsh contrasts of sand and sky in an intense yet reflective solo.
Co-presented by ICIA, Swindon Dance and Wyvern Theatre (HST). Green in Blue was the fifth in a series of co-commissions by ICIA and Swindon Dance.