Russell Maliphant Company - Still Current

Dance is an art form that idolises youth, with careers declining once you hit 30. Russell Maliphant, who won won Best Modern Choreographer at the National Dance Awards last month, disproves this rule. At 52, the Canadian-born choreographer is still a pleasure to watch and we are very much looking forward to him joining his dancers on stage for this mixed bill of his works. 

The evening consists of both new and old works. Among the already known pieces, AfterLight (Part One) is certainly one to look forward to. Created for a Diaghilev tribute programme in 2009 and also part of the much-discussed first instalment of Ivan Putrov’s Men in Motion programme in early 2012, it is a piece that deserves to be repeated. It showcases the unique creative partnership that Maliphant shares with lighting designer Michael Hulls. Hulls doesn't just ensure that the dancers in Maliphant’s works aren’t performing in the dark; he choreographs light and darkness, creating visual shapes that perfectly complement Maliphant’s movements. 

Another much-anticipated piece is Maliphant's solo piece, entitled Two. He created in 2001 for his wife, the former Royal Ballet dancer Dana Fouras, and it has also been performed by the legendary Sylvie Guillem, with whom Maliphant has a longstanding artistic partnership. This time it's the turn of Carys Staton, who has been featured in many of Maliphant’s recent creations, including The Rodin Project. Staton is a captivating dancer and, even with this weight of history on her shoulders, she will undoubtedly deliver her very own beautiful interpretation of this stunning solo.