Murmuration Level 2 review – mesmerising dance multiplies in tutting fractal forms

Peacock theatre, LondonStarting from a single dancer, an intricate moving patterns of limbs forms a complex weave of shifting patterns in Sadeck Berrabah’s technically impressive showThere’s no denying that it’s incredibly satisfying to watch a mass of bodies moving in unison. Every chorus line and corps de ballet knows it. It has been scientifically proven that we get pleasure from seeing bodies sync up, and French choreographer Sadeck Berrabah’s show, Murmuration Level 2, is on point when it comes to this. The show’s title refers to the mesmerising, morphing formations of flying birds, whole flocks coordinated seemingly by instinct. In this show, nothing has been left to instinct and these dancers have been drilled within an inch of their lives, creating intricate moving patterns. When an arm hits a 90 degree angle, it’s not 89, or 91, but bang on 90, all 30 dancers at exactly the same time. This is technically very impressive.Berrabah got his break with a viral YouTube video and has gone on to work for pop acts such as Shakira and Black Eyed Peas. You can see how his style would be so eye-catching in short-form video. You could imagine him on Britain’s Got Talent. The dance is based predominantly on tutting, a street style so-called because it looks a bit like hieroglyphics (King Tut, you see), with very exact, geometric movements of the arms and hands. The cast are dressed in black, sleeves to their elbows, leaving forearms and hands almost floating in space. From a single dancer the effect multiplies to make a complex weave of shifting patterns, a physical fractal. The challenge, not quite met, is how to take this cool effect and keep it interesting for 75 minutes. Meanwhile, the soundtrack of continuous dancey, chill out-y loops, is like a bed; background music. Not enough to carry the show. Continue reading...

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