Contemporary dance company CoisCéim Dance Theatre appears at Assembly @ Dance Base as part of Culture Ireland’s Edinburgh Showcase. Following its premiere at Dublin Fringe in 2024, Dancehall Blues, directed by David Bolger, features two of Ireland’s dynamic young dancers: Emily Kilkenny and Alex O’Neill.
We find ourselves in a dancehall at dusk. There’s almost a dream-like feel in the atmosphere, which lulls us into a false sense of security. Suddenly, a giant glitterball drops to the floor and so begins the story. The two performers, dressed in white hazmat suits, move seamlessly around the glitterball as it swings, pendulum-like, through the space in a manner that’s both captivating and somewhat menacing.
As Dancehall Blues unfolds, the hazmat suits are discarded, and the performers transition to everyday clothing. From there, they take us on quite a journey through time: past, present and future. We’re encouraged to consider moments in history and the role of human resilience and togetherness in an uncertain world.
Emily Kilkenny and Alex O’Neill showcase admirable versatility, demonstrating proficiency in numerous dance styles. On some occasions they barely have time to breathe, but their energy never falters. Their performance style though, is arguably what makes this piece. They dance fearlessly, not afraid to be vulnerable, generating a feeling of hope in challenging times. Nothing in their performance feels artificial or overdone; just them being genuine, with each other and with us, the audience. It makes for a captivating watch.
The heartwarming performances bring to life some intriguing choreography, which includes some rather spectacular movement with a chair at one point (‘chair-ography’ perhaps?). It’s not only the choreography that’s innovative; this is very much a dance theatre piece, with the staging and lighting design playing a significant role. Particularly impressive is a huge mirror, tilted down to provide alternative viewpoints, literally and metaphorically. Projected images and relevant sound effects further complement the performance.
Recommended for ages 8 and up, this 50-minute piece packs in an impressive amount that moves at quite a pace. Dancehall Blues is an engaging, thought-provoking watch that’s bold yet also modest – quite a feat.
