Rambert Dance Company – Labyrinth of Love (Tour – Salford)

Venue: The Lowry
Where: Salford

Since 1926, Rambert Dance Company have been pioneering in their commitment to collaboration within their ever-prolific work. Current artistic director Mark Baldwin continues this tradition, stressing in the programme notes to Labyrinth of Love the importance of “new relationships…that will enrich the Company, bring new energies and help generate new ideas”.

The benefits of Rambert’s dedication to this ethos is eloquently displayed in their new commission, Marguerite Donlan’s stunning Labyrinth of Love.  A seamless collaboration between the choreographer and Grammy Award-winning composer Mark Daugherty, this atmospheric and sexy work speaks of the glories and challenges of romantic love. Anyone with a half a heart will recognise the familiar sway between moments of fumbling humility and soaring grandness. Dolan’s playful choreography is surprising, constantly engaging and provides a dizzying succession of ‘wow’ moments.

The design is beautiful and works in absolute harmony with the movement, the orchestra and the narrating soprano. Giant projections lend a sense of the epic and the images created onstage are completely striking.  Moving and funny in turns, the piece captures the many things that love is and can be.

For the autumn tour, Labyrinth of Love is supported by complimentary works from Rambert’s repertoire. On the night I attended, these were the rather more gentle Roses; a graceful and romantic piece somehow made up of circles (think a balletic version of Spirograph) and Itzik Galili’s vital and brooding Sub. Performed entirely by males, the work is impressively visceral and primal.

Unsurprisingly, the performers are exceptional dancers. What is brilliant is their character, particularly the showcasing of this in the opening piece.

Progressive, universal and absorbing, Rambert’s Labyrinth of Love is a show to lose yourself to.

– Sara Cocker