Review: NATIONAL YOUTH DANCE COMPANY: WALL - OONA DOHERTY, Sadler's Wells

National Youth Dance Company has been running since 2013, and acts as “England’s Flagship youth dance company”, the brainchild of, and run by Sadler’s Wells. The (Guest) Artistic Directors read like a who’s who of present day contemporary dance royalty, and 23/24 sees Oona Doherty take up the prestigious role.

Wall by Doherty is asking some big questions, unsurprisingly, and most keenly: “if you spoke to Britain what would it say?” Doherty has asked the 32 young dancers from 21 locations this specific question over four creative residencies, and we get to consider the end result discussing notions of national identity, especially where concerning today’s youth.

Perhaps most important to contemplate is context. NYDC is an educational environment, so process trumps product. Yet dance in the choreographic sense does result in a ‘something’ - regardless of who's involved.

The evening is a special one. The collective energy on stage is palpable, as is the abundant pride of family members and friends in the audience. I'm also so impressed by the diverse representation within the NYDC cohort. Something that would've been unimaginable even a decade ago I'd say.

The work is multimedia with dance, music, a screen and recorded narration. And it all evokes a sense of modernity infused with nostalgia. I found myself thinking “I bet this is what Salford in the early 80s felt like” - and what exactly is that? Is it possible to define a moment as it's happening? If so; Doherty feels like she does just that.

That said, the first half of the work is a very slow burn. It, of course, builds atmosphere, but there's little obvious dance to get your teeth into. And when it happens it's quenching but all too fleeting. I'm intrigued by Doherty’s partner work though, as it manages to feel independent in its connectedness. You don't see this often.

Doherty also isn't afraid of repetition. It's a choreographic tool I'm a fan of, but even I was a bit oversaturated by it at one point. An endless wall of falling dancers, who no matter how many times they fell proceeded to get back up and repeat. When they eventually finished it was interesting to analyse their breathing - dance is physical, it shouldn't be hidden.

The majority of the work was group numbers of different sizes, but a few solos were also included. The piece finished with an extraordinary one performed by Luke Pelé. The movement was so inherent I'm interested to know if it was actually set, or more along the lines of creative task/improvisational based.

It also made me ponder how decisions about solo moments and performers are made; it doesn't feel very democratic looking in from the outside.

Most importantly, all involved seemed deeply committed, and the house went nuts at the end. I'm always going to turn up to a Doherty creation, as I find her work unpredictable, genuine and current. Even if the process sometimes wins over the end result.

National Youth Dance Company: Wall by Oona Doherty was performed at Sadler’s Wells on July 13.

Photo credit: Manuel Vason

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