Rites of War (Lowry, Salford)

The First World War started in 1914. In 2014 UK soldiers will finally be pulled out of Afghanistan. The century between them allows these two events to provide the framework for this production by Gravity and Levity, a company which combine contemporary dance and aerial suspension.

Two stories are intertwined. Private George Ellison left for the front in 1914, he survived almost all of the war, becoming the last man killed at 9.30am on the 11th November 1918, just 90 minutes before armistice. Where as John Smith (not a real person this time) was 15 when the planes flew into the World Trade Center on 11th September 2001. Later on he joins the army and is posted to Afghanistan where he loses his life in an explosion.

George Ellison's story is told from the start of the war, whereas John Smith's is told backwards from his death. Scenes alternate between the 20th century and the 21st as you follow their stories.

Unfortunately the scenes are disjointed, not only from the other story but from the ones set in the same era; while the characters never seem to develop beyond a basic two dimensions, meaning you don't feel anything for their fate.

The performers Johnny Autin, Lindsey Butcher, Richard Causer, Jamie Higgins, Magalie Lanriot, and Nicholas Minns are all extremely accomplished dancers and aerialists, but are let down by Darshan Singh Bhuller's direction and choreography.

Rites of War has it's heart in the right place, but ultimately is a disappointment rather than a remembrance.

Rites of War is at the Lowry until 14 May.