A Technical Pleasure

By: Caitlin Goulding

Holland’s Introdans performed to an almost sold out show last night at the JOMBA! 2013 Contemporary Dance festival, a clear indicator of the reputation which precedes them. As a contemporary dance group made up of highly trained classical dancers, Introdans displays precise technique and training, fusing elements of ballet  with contemporary dance, adding something a little different to this year’s festival line-up.


Superstars is a five-piece offering featuring the choreography of famed choreographers Hans van Manen, Jiří Kylián, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, and Nacho Duato.

 Each dance uses precise movements and exceptionally careful timing as the dancers move in complete synchronicity. 

They run onstage to slot themselves into an already dancing group with expert ease.
The use of different levels and angles, fluxing energy levels and canons creates beautiful shapes and interesting moments of dance.

Hans van Manen’s Polish Pieces kicks off the performance with all twelve dancers wearing brightly coloured, skin-tight outfits that reveal every muscle and the extent of their synchronisation.  The piece is high in energy and slick in performance with tight choreography. 

 Evening Songs by Jiří Kylián uses flowing movements, accentuated by loose fitting clothing.  The piece is slower and more restrained.  It is stunning to watch and brings a feeling of peacefulness and safety with it.

Pas de Danse and Anaphase are two of the more playful pieces from the company repertoire. 
Choreographed by Mats Ek, Pas de Danse makes use accordions and mouth organs in the music, an unusual choice that adds a lovely texture to the piece.  It also has elements of mime and humour as  the dancers explore each other and themselves with a light-hearted energy.  It is clear to see why this dance work has been one of Introdans’s best loved pieces.

Ohad Naharin choreographed Anaphase which plays with sexual tension and awkwardness. The dancers also explore each other and themselves in this piece, but in a more sexualised and humorous way. This dance work, unlike the others, allows for improvisation to be integrated, adding some unpredictability.

Sinfonía India  by Nacho Duato explores the ritual dances of Mexican Indians, with costumes clearly inspired by the traditional clothing of Mexican Indians and they cleverly add ritualistic movements in stylistic forms to their dance.  This allows for some very intriguing movement, as the dancers’ classically trained bodies work out the ritual-inspired choreography of the piece.