Danza Contemporanea de Cuba at The Lowry Review
Danza Contemporanea de Cuba
The Lowry, Manchester
17-18 February 2017
Reviewed by Ann Durrell
Founded in 1959 Danza Contemporanea de Cuba are the country’s’ flagship contemporary dance troupe. Fusing modern dance techniques, influenced by their African and Spanish roots. For their 2017 tour audiences, the performance is split into three very different pieces, showing off the immense talent and energy of each and every member of the troupe.
The first piece is ‘Reversible’ choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa plays with gender roles and rivalry. Female dancers are dressed in trousers and the male dancers in skirts, performing against a minimalistic black back drop. As the curtain rises two clusters of the troupe elevate a nearly naked male and a female dancer to which I drew similarities to Adam and Eve. With a change to the music bringing a tick tick ticking of a metronome, the male and female dancers group then couple off. The dance is ever so sensual with the hip thrusting and grinding moves you would expect from Latin.
Part Two, The Listening Room, is choreographed by Theo Clinkard. It is all together a very different piece from the first. The dancers enter the stage in brightly coloured t-shirt and shorts, white headphones can be clearly seen. For a large portion of the piece there is no soundtrack and the only rhythm is generated from the dancers’ footsteps. It reminded me of a silent disco! The dancers seemed to have more fun with this lighter hearted piece, interacting with the audience grinning and even waving. It was nice to get to see a bit of their characters.
In the finial dance ‘Matria Entnocentra’ choreographed by George Cespedes the tone changes again to a very military theme, think Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation music video. Dressed in combat trousers and t-shirts giving a nod to the Cuban flag they dance in formation, not missing a step. Dancing in formation the single fluorescent tube lighting creates impressive shadows adding further to the impact of the piece.
Through the entire performance my eyes were fixed to the stage darting left and right trying to watch every dancer simultaneously, I didn’t want to miss a single part. I was completely memorised throughout each performance Each and every one of the troupe are fantastic, so talented full of energy character and the choreography is suburb. It was a real treat to watch. If you get the opportunity to see Danza Contemporenea de Cuba jump to it, it’s one not to pass up.
Rating: 5/5 
For other shows at The Lowry in Manchester visit www.thelowry.com.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ | 0843 208 6000
