Young Centre/Moonhorse Dance Theatre – Dances in a Small Room

reviewed by Paula Citron
__________________________

Dances in a Small Room
Young Centre/Moonhorse Dance Theatre
Choreographed by Tedd Robinson and James Kudelka
Performed by Claudia Moore and Dan Wild
At the Young Centre until Dec. 5
__________________________

Dance is always strong when senior artists come together. Veteran Claudia Moore is presenting two world premieres in a program called Dances in a Small Room.

Tedd Robinson’s compelling short work Lone Some is set to hurtin’ songs. A solo for Moore with appearances by Dan Wild, the choreographed shudders, contractions. and Robinson’s trademark gestural language, portrays a woman who is defeated but unbowed.

Moore and Wild perform James Kudelka’s challenging Half an Hour of Our Time, and that is the length of the dance. Like Robinson, Kudelka is looking at the aftermath of a break-up. Performed in silence, the work is choreography for hands and arms, with the body following. Moore and Wild are really never apart, and the twists, turns, push and pull of their arms propel the dance. The intrigue of this piece is the always shifting power struggle.

It is a short evening, but choice.

Dances in a Small Room continues at the Young Centre until Dec. 5.