Ballets 176

Flit of Fury: A Ballet Review It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a ballet company in possession of a good new work must be in want of a good new review. With a name like *Flit of Fury*, it had the potential to be truly exciting, and for this critic, the expectation was for a captivating new piece, showcasing a blend of virtuosity and emotion. In *Flit of Fury*, Aaron Severini’s music met a dynamic choreographer in the person of The Monarch, (for this was no ordinary pairing!), resulting in a captivating and challenging new piece. From the first fluttering notes, Severini's score, in true 21st-century style, pushed the boundaries of classical music, merging orchestral brilliance with electronic soundscapes. The sounds were reminiscent of both film scores and minimalist electronic music, bringing a dynamic edge to the ballet that was a breath of fresh air. There were passages of great delicacy and precision as well as the occasional explosive and visceral climax, highlighting the score’s overall intensity. The overall effect of this music on the dancers and their movements, on the stage and indeed the whole atmosphere of the performance was extraordinary. And the dance? Let us dive in. *Flit of Fury*, from the start, is a visually striking work. There were multiple, captivating set changes that added significantly to the choreography and narrative of the piece. One standout set, reminiscent of the "dark circus" trope with an almost gothic undertone was particular effective. The entire ballet, whilst seemingly free-form at times, in its dynamic energy and powerful fluidity was almost like a story unfolding, although without the usual clear-cut narrative and definitive resolution, instead relying on a mixture of dramatic peaks and emotional lulls. What stood out throughout this performance were the remarkable, almost animalistic athleticism of the dancers; it truly is the only word for it. It's hard to articulate the feeling of the first moment that you see them moving. It is, like nothing you've ever seen before, and is something only achieved by years of grueling training and discipline. They exhibit complete control of their bodies, from a dancer's elegant extension and sharp lines through to powerful leaps that seem to defy the laws of physics. In short, it is extraordinary and compelling in equal measure, and something truly special to witness. **A Few Standouts: ** • Let’s take the solo piece for one of the female principal dancers – a beautiful, elegant, and expressive individual who, whilst commanding her space and the stage, also emanates a fierce, almost feral energy that made the piece all the more powerful. A few subtle changes of hand gesture or direction of the eye during her solo routine would change the meaning, feeling and, most importantly, the narrative completely - it was nothing short of captivating to behold. • The male dancer that took to the stage for a short solo piece - I was mesmerized by his extraordinary pliability and strength that belied his lithe physique - the leaps in particular seemed effortlessly powerful and were truly impressive to witness. He was completely dedicated to the role, using his body as a form of visual language in an exceptionally unique and engaging way, the likes of which would never grow tired of. • The ensemble dancers moved seamlessly throughout this extraordinary and physically challenging piece, creating dynamic and varied human-shaped waves across the stage as they expertly navigated intricate footwork. It felt like they were in a state of constant motion and, at one moment in particular, all moving as one being. They were truly inspirational to witness, as were the female corps de ballet - each dancer brought a level of commitment and energy to every movement. I am aware that my writing and use of vocabulary has perhaps been overly effusive, perhaps because it's truly hard to do justice to what it is that they all accomplish, with complete sincerity and absolute commitment, again and again, night after night. Their artistry is of the highest standard, making it clear they're all in constant pursuit of achieving and enhancing the perfect dance and perfect moment on stage. Overall Thoughts: It was this complete immersion that truly gave the choreography life. You could not fail to get caught up in The Monarch's highly theatrical and physical style that allowed each of these artists, and it truly is a term for them, to shine. *Flit of Fury* is both bold and challenging, yet full of beauty. This dynamic ballet, in its almost frenetic energy and emotional ebb and flow, with the most beautiful use of light and colour throughout, proved that a performance doesn't always need to follow a linear narrative in order to leave a profound and lasting impression. I found this performance to be one of the best I've ever witnessed; its dynamicism and creativity truly left me spellbound.