BWW Reviews: Russell Maliphant Company STILL CURRENT at the Joyce is Stunning

If you haven't seen the Russell Maliphant Company, now is the time. This season's production, Still Current is on stage at the Joyce Theater through Sunday, December 14th.

The Wednesday, December 10th performance was mesmerizing. Maliphant's inventive choreography and the graceful athleticism of his dancers made for a truly stunning evening.

Russell Maliphant made his Joyce debut in 2012 with The Rodin Project to critical acclaim. Returning to the Joyce stage, Maliphant's Still Current program is perfectly suited to the West Village venue that boasts a real intimacy for dance enthusiasts.

The Russell Maliphant Company was formed in 1996 seeking to integrate and explore elements from a diverse range of techniques that include classical ballet, contact improvisation, yoga, capoeira, tai chi and chi gung. The works are characterized by a distinctive flow and the energetic exploration of the relationship between movement, light and music. Maliphant's deep interest in the art of sculpture is evident in the fascinating forms of his dancers.

Lighting Designer, Michael Hulls, continues his remarkable contribution to the company's successful staging. As a long time collaborator of Maliphant, Hulls innovative lighting designs compliment every moment of the company's performance.

The December 10th program opened with Critical Mass danced by Thomasin Gulgec and Dickson Mbu. The men's dramatic movements were synchronized perfection and the piece set the mood for a captivating evening.

The second piece, Two performed by Cars Staton, is inspired by Maurice Bejart's Bolero. Set to electronic music by Andy Cowton, Staton used a small lit area to convey the sense of an individual trapped with in rectangular space. Staton's performance of Two was extraordinary.

Rounding out the first half of the program was Still beautifully executed by Dickson Mbi and Carys Staton.

The second half of the program opened with Afterlight, a intense solo by Thomasin Gulgec. This award-winning piece is well known to followers of Maliphant's works. Set to Erik Satie's Gnosiennes 1-4 and new compositions by Andy Cowton, the dance continues Maliphant's examination of photographs of Vaslav Nijinsky. Gulgec was superb in the flowing piece punctuated by sharp movements.

The final selection of the evening was Still Current with guest artist Marlon Dino and Carys Staton. It is a duet you will revisit in your mind again and again. Dino and Staton were exquisite in this passionate piece.

The Russell Maliphant Company's striking production of Still Current is a rare treat for metropolitan area audiences. Stylistically unique and pleasing, the abundant talents of this company are art in motion.

Russell Maliphant Company will present its group work Still Current through Sunday 12/14. Tickets are $10-$49 ($26-$37 for Joyce members) and can be arranged by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or online at www.joyce.org. Please note: ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street. For more info, please visit www.Joyce.org.

Photo Credit: Hugo Glendinning

To post a comment, you must register and login.