The Last Forecast, playing at the Assembly @ Dance Base until the 18th August, is a gentle, child-friendly dance piece that provides a delightful experience for younger audiences. The set, reminiscent of your dotty Aunt Maud’s cosy, old-fashioned kitchen, is warm and inviting, perfectly matching the show’s playful tone.
We first meet Gael, a cheeky gecko, whose twitchy, curious dance style brings the room to life. Soon after, a travelling stranger, laden with an array of items, enters the scene, setting off a series of cat-and-mouse encounters between the two characters. Their initial near-misses and eventual meeting spark an increase in energy, leading to beautifully crafted and synchronised contemporary dance sequences. These dances tell simple, whimsical stories as the characters navigate some non-perilous obstacles and build their relationship.
The narrative is driven forward by periodic weather forecasts, chiming in from an on-set radio and warning of an impending storm that threatens the peace and comfort of our two, now friendly, protagonists. This gentle tension adds a layer of excitement, but the show remains appropriately twee for the intended audience, focusing on the blossoming relationship between the gecko and the stranger and how they must work together as the waters rise.
The Last Forecast is bright, jolly, and fun, offering excellent skills and fluid direction. The simplicity of the story makes it easy for little ones to follow, making it a perfect choice for younger audiences.
