Practising safe sex at the ballet

Back due to popular demand after its sell-out success in 2011, ‘Love Songs’ appeared on the Gamle Scene again from May 24-26 fusing jazz classics with contemporary ballet in a 120-minute up-beat and witty crowd-pleaser. Choreographed by a talented Brit, Tim Rushton, with music by one of Denmark’s top jazz artists, Caroline Hendersen, the show had both ballet veterans and novices craning their necks and jigging their feet. We were entertained from the moment Hendersen swanned on to the stage wearing a fabulous gold, glistening, skin-clinging dress to her final air kiss and bow. 

 

Hendersen belted out nine songs included classics such as ‘My Funny Valentine’ by Richard Rodgers and ‘I’m Gonna Leave You’ by Dusty Springfield. Each was accompanied by a three-man-band, sat at the back of the stage creating the sense of an intimate jazz club.  Fourteen dancers then bought the songs to life, dancing in different combinations, sometimes as love-struck soloists, and at other times as part of the entire ensemble. The choreography was Rushton through and through. Quirky, contemporary movements and mimes that were at some points ridiculously high energy – try running on the spot for an entire song – and at others sultry and romantic. Throughout the entire performance there was a connecting string of wit. 

 

The ‘Night Holds No Fear’ and ‘Lilac Wine’ were particular highlights, with the Portuguese dancer Ana Sendas demonstrating such precision, anticipation and wonderful timing that she stole the show. Fabio Liberti also stayed in the mind long past the final curtain call. My only gripe was that while being entertaining and fun, it was also an incredibly safe performance. Hendersen sang beautifully but felt very controlled, while the choreography was fun, effective but far from groundbreaking. In a country that was the first to legalise gay marriage, where were the same-sex dances? Even a threesome would have shaken things up. So entertaining, most definitely, but perhaps a missed opportunity to really explore the modern phenomena of love.

 

Love Songs

Gamle Scene

May 24

 

 

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