Dance REVIEW: Ballet Black: Shadows - ★★★★★

Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
1 day ago
2 min read

Now in its 23rd year, Cassa Pancho's Ballet Black makes its return to Festival Theatre with an exciting new double bill including Pancho's darkly comic adaptation of Oyinkan Braithwaite's international bestselling novel, My Sister, The Serial Killer.

When Korede gets a distress call from her sister Ayoola, she knows what to do: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel, and a strong stomach. It’s the third boyfriend Ayoola has killed in “self-defense,” and the third mess Korede has to clean up. She should probably go to the police, but family comes first. Things take a turn when Ayoola begins dating the doctor Korede secretly loves, forcing Korede to choose between saving him and betraying her sister…

The double bill is completed by Brooklyn-born, award-winning choreographer Chanel DaSilva, making her British choreographic debut. Renowned for using the arts to inspire meaningful change, DaSilva has been commissioned by prestigious companies such as The Washington Ballet, Parsons Dance Company, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and made history as the first Black woman to choreograph for The Joffrey Ballet. In her debut for Ballet Black, DaSilva delves into the profound practice of shadow work, exploring its power to reveal our true selves. Her work is celebrated for its deep exploration of humanity and its potential to inspire transformation both within the dance world and beyond.

Where?

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh - Part of UK Tour

WEBSITE

Olivia (Age 13) - ★★★★★

"I thought Shadows was a terrific proformace, the way the dancers told a story without saying a word took a lot of skill and depth and they accomplished it with ease. The show was so suspenseful and gripping you couldn't take your eyes off it.

The lighting added an amazing effect and the music fitted perfectly

The storyline was a little bit scary but also exhilarating.

After the show, the founder of the dance company Ballet Black and also two of the main dancers did a 15 minute interview where they talked about the company and their own experiences with ballet.

And I even got a photo with one of the dancers.

Overall 5/5 stars, I would definitely recommend"