Veronica’s Score: 4
A Night’s Game is a duet performed by British performers Kristina and Sade Alleyne. It is gorgeous to watch because the twin sisters deliver a contemporary work of grace and strength with such visceral but controlled skill. It is also an emotionally intense piece, as it should be given the subject matter, that being, confronting incarceration and the consequent loss of freedom.
The former athletes turned dancers, now on their second visit to Sydney, were drawn to explore the effects on the mind, body, and inner life of a person facing prison after an incident in their family lead to a deep personal interest in the issue.
During the 50-minute dance journey, the sisters draw on any number of influences – Afro-Caribbean, Hip Hop, Kathak, Latin, Circus – and allow their Barbadian heritage to burn bright. They explore the limits of their own bodies in the nicely underlit space and sustain exquisite moments of balance while bringing an exciting element of danger.
Still, what is so riveting is the passion and commitment to telling a story with their bodies. They use their own flesh as musical instruments. Very little, except a single nondescript chair appears on stage. The lighting and costuming (by Lucy Hansom and Leila Ransley) again only serve to focus our attention on the dancers.
It is a strange thing to have someone close to you relay how they grew up expecting to go to gaol because everyone they knew had a family member doing time. This thinking transforms communities, and when people feel they can no longer rely on their neighbours, then what is left that they can safely share or expect from one another? I thought this was beautifully communicated in the work.
When the lights came up at curtain call, the sisters were embracing. It was no doubt demanding to perform and sit through but by no means a sad night in the theatre.
Presented by Form Dance Projects along with Riverside Theatres, this work deserves to reach as many punters as possible. The pleasure of writing this review is I feel I’ve got to experience the show twice. Do try and see it at least once.
Veronica Hannon – Theatre Now
4 – 7 Sep 2019
Venue: Riverside Theatres
Theatre Company: Kristina and Sadé Alleyne
Duration: Aprox 50 Min
Adult $35 and Conc $28
Thur – Sat 7:45pm
By Kristina and Sadé Alleyne
FORM Dance Projects and Riverside Theatres present the Australian-premiere of the emotionally charged duet, A Night’s Game, from UK dance company Alleyne Dance from 5th to 7th September.
In a dynamic yet lyrical performance inspired by true-life events, twin sisters Kristina and Sadé Alleyne explore the turmoil and strife of human emotion when faced with the prospect of incarceration.
This dark, atmospheric work that is as thrilling as it is powerful features the Alleyne sisters’ unique contemporary choreography which is infused with influences of Afro-Caribbean, hip hop, Latin, and Indian classical dance.
Co-artistic directors of Alleyne Dance, Kristina and Sadé are former athletes turned professional dancers, and have performed and taught across the UK and internationally. They performed at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics in a piece choreographed by renowned English choreographer Akram Khan.
Kristina and Sadé Alleyne said, “We were largely inspired to create this piece after an incident with one of our family members. It was also partially inspired by our visit to Alcatraz in San Francisco which sparked an interest in prison conditions and the mental states of people who are incarcerated. This is a really special work for us and we are excited to bring it to Australia for the first time.”
A Night’s Game will be performed in Australia for one season only at Riverside Theatres.
