Phoenix Dance Theatre's Mixed Bill, Royal Opera House

One Britain’s leading contemporary dance companies, Phoenix Dance Theatre, returns to Covent Garden’s intimate Linbury Studio with a diverse mixed bill which brings together new works by its former director, Darshan Singh Buller, and the award-winning veteran choreographer Christopher Bruce. Completing the programme is a piece by the Israeli/Dutch choreographic duo, Ivgi & Greben.
Darshan Singh Bhuller’s Mapping , which was first performed in February of this year, uses video projections and Asian influenced movement to trace the journey that the choreographer’s father made from India to the UK. Mapping is Singh’s first work for the company since stepping down as its Artistic Director in 2006.
The joyful tone of his piece contrasts with that of Document , which marked Uri Igvi and Johan Greben’s English debut when first shown last February. In a work that The Guardian called ‘dark’ and ‘visceral’ five dancers engage with brooding tribal forces and the darkest aspects of human emotion to music by composer Tom Parkinson, described by the composer himself as ranging “from delicate piano solos to brutal noise.”
The two choreographers (with backgrounds that mix theatre, sculpture and dance) have been working together since 2003, but their work had not been seen in England before - a high point for contemporary dance in London. 
The last piece in the programme comes from the ever surprising Christopher Bruce. Combining ballet and the Martha Graham technique with a keen awareness of all elements of a theatrical performance, Bruce’s choreographic style is always a must see and the show as a whole is a must see London attraction this autumn.