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AUDIENCE REVIEW: Review of Vinnie Jones' The Truth and the Light

Company:
em(body) dance project

Performance Date:
February 17 & 18, 2023

Freeform Review:

 “The Truth and the Light” was originally performed in San Francisco in the United States, it was performed as a part of “Shape/Shift" an evening of works presented by em(body) dance project on February 17 & 18, 2023. The piece featured three dancers and used various lighting sources through out it's four movemetns. In the beginning, light came only from one small light wand placed downstage in the center. A male and female dancer moved entirely within that small light pool using articulate hand vocabulary that drew the audience in. The urgency of the dancing increased throughout the piece, stronger and stronger but still contained within the light source. 

During the second section dancer Robert Lowman began moving the wand around the other dancer. Dancer Naomi Sailors performed stretching, searching actions and changed her position in space while the light changed in relationship to her.  This made the space around Sailors look like it was constantly shifting. This in combination with the music and Sailors' dramatic dance gave a sense or dread and urgency to the section. I particularly enjoyed the effect of a light stick illuminating the dancer in different ways. 

After the emotional intensity of the first two sections, section three was quiet and calm. The harsh light rod was gone, and instead a new dancer brought in small golden lights which she scattered about the space. We swapped intricate, angular port de bras for soft and free movements. We exchanged a stern strong male partner, for the soft and elegant Hollie Rudolph, who went on to dance in a duet with the Sailors. The final group movement ends strong, with all three dancers dancing a swinging and swooping trio, weaving in and out of each other in seamless partnering. The final section was short and dynamic, leaving the audience wanting more.

The dancers performed their roles excellently with Naomi Sailors as a strong and emotional lead dancer with Robert Lowman and Hollie Rudolph as supporting characters. The piece takes the audience on a journey with the light acting as a fourth character. The choreography and lighting are crafted to enhance the atmosphere of the dancing. While it is still early in Vinnie’s career it is clear she has great potential as a thinker and creator in the dance world. Her work is creative and unique, but relatable and moving to the audience. I look forward to seeing what else she creates as her career progresses.

Photo Credit:
Photographer Vin Vuthikorn, Dancer Naomi Sailors