Neither of us had any real experience of contemporary dance on arrival for Northern School of Contemporary Dance’s tour of Verve at Harrogate theatre. Little did we know what a treat we were in for! Sixteen dancers, three different shows with three different choreographers. Each very different and each silencing the audience throughout as they enveloped us in a journey of incredible movement and celebration of the human form. Androgynous characters and costumes, changes in tempo and the very innovative slow motion sections all added to the impressive show. The first (and longest) dance was entitled Let Me In by Luca Signoretti.

The programme notes billed it as “a reminder to stay authentic, embrace vulnerability and trust your voice, even when the world is watching”. The chorography included very clever use of light and music to set the tone here and it was intentionally moody and quite gloomy at times, telling a story which was sometimes a little difficult to follow. We particularly enjoyed the use of lit umbrellas to silhouette the dancers at the front of the stage. This created the most breathtaking atmosphere.

We were then treated to a much shorter dance: Lotus by Vietnamese artist Thanh-Tu ‘Sattva’ Nguyen. The chorography in this dance was more synchronised which was very pleasing on the eye as the eight-person troupe moved as one and often played a form of Follow the Leader on the stage. The sheer white costumes here worked really well, emphasising the shapes that the dancers were creating. The theme of ‘becoming’ ran throughout and the ending was dramatic and poignant.



To end the evening, Bosnat Nossan’s Ro-Mass was performed. As novices, our interpretation of this piece was a human metamorphosis and journey through the change and growth of the emotional and physical. A celebration of connection despite us all being different.

The opening was intriguing; dancers cocooned in various bags, then breaking out just as a butterfly would. The dancers portrayed conflicting emotions as well as the discovery of individuality, all conveyed so beautifully through dance. Ultimately, they are become united was led to a powerful ending. It would be hard to single out any one of this hugely talented company, but for her commanding stage presence, her delicate flexibility and her fascinating facial expressions which drew us right into her storytelling, it would have to be Luella Rebbeck. All these young performers are ones to be watched in the future.

It was a shame that the theatre was not packed to the rafters for this show which was so enjoyable.

Catch the show in the North at:

15th March – New Adelphi Theatre, Salford

25th March – Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster

Finale – 22nd May – Leeds Playhouse, Leeds