Marking Time at Sadler's Wells was a night of bewitching dance inspired by American composer Nico Muhly's eclectic scores. Three distinct choreographers – Jules Cunningham, Maud Le Pladec, and Michael Keegan-Dolan – each grasped the nuances of Muhly's music in their own unique manner.
Cunningham's Slant, set to Muhly's haunting Drones, was a masterclass in subtlety. The stark movements and improbable balances created a sense of liminality, a perfect foil for the sustained string notes that hung like a promise of something to come. Cunningham's all-star cast, featuring Ellen van Schuylenburch, added to the enigmatic atmosphere.
In contrast, Le Pladec's Veins of Water was a whirlwind of sparkle and movement, with three dancers shapeshifting between Muhly's music and their own imaginative paths. The result was an eerie, 60s-inspired spectacle that left the audience entranced.
Then, like a masterful curveball, Keegan-Dolan threw everyone into his world with Veins of Water, incorporating American folk singer Sam Amidon in a showstopping performance. Muhly's Drones were stretched and transformed into a vibrant, bluesy soundscape, drawing the audience into the heart of the theatre. The result was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Throughout the night, the different choreographers proved themselves adept at coaxing out the essence of Muhly's work, from his subtle textures to his most overt emotional depths. Marking Time was a testament to the enduring power of dance and music to captivate and inspire us.
Cunningham's Slant, set to Muhly's haunting Drones, was a masterclass in subtlety. The stark movements and improbable balances created a sense of liminality, a perfect foil for the sustained string notes that hung like a promise of something to come. Cunningham's all-star cast, featuring Ellen van Schuylenburch, added to the enigmatic atmosphere.
In contrast, Le Pladec's Veins of Water was a whirlwind of sparkle and movement, with three dancers shapeshifting between Muhly's music and their own imaginative paths. The result was an eerie, 60s-inspired spectacle that left the audience entranced.
Then, like a masterful curveball, Keegan-Dolan threw everyone into his world with Veins of Water, incorporating American folk singer Sam Amidon in a showstopping performance. Muhly's Drones were stretched and transformed into a vibrant, bluesy soundscape, drawing the audience into the heart of the theatre. The result was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Throughout the night, the different choreographers proved themselves adept at coaxing out the essence of Muhly's work, from his subtle textures to his most overt emotional depths. Marking Time was a testament to the enduring power of dance and music to captivate and inspire us.
! Nico muhly's scores are always so evocative and these choreographers really knew how to tap into that magic 
. jules cunningham's slant was like a masterclass in restraint - those dancers were all about the subtlety and it paid off big time 
. and then le pladec just went full sparkle mode 
, it was wild but in a good way? 
. but what really got me was michael keegan-dolan's veins of water - that sam amidon performance was absolute perfection 
. i love how the different choreographers interpreted muhly's music so uniquely, it was like we were all experiencing something slightly different but still totally connected 
. dance and music together is just pure magic 
i mean, those choreographers were absolute wizards they each brought something so unique to the table and it was honestly mind-blowing to see how they all managed to tap into nico muhly's music in different ways... for me though, i have to say that michael keegan-dolan's veins of water stole the show 
and can we talk about ellie van schuylenburch's performance? she's literally on another level 
i swear i've been listening to muhly's drones nonstop since the show and it's like my soul is speaking directly to him 
anyway, just got back from the most magical night of dance and music and i'm still on a high 
and the way maud le pladec's veins of water just transported me to another world 
but then Maud Le Pladec brings the party and I'm like... what's up with that? 
It made me realize that our tastes are personal, but also that's what makes life interesting - trying to understand what resonates with others. Dance is a great example of how different artists can take the same inspiration and run with it in their own unique way 
.
I'm loving this revival of old discussions about dance performances! It got me thinking, how do you think the choreographers managed to tap into Nico Muhly's eclectic scores? 
For me, it was all about capturing the essence of his music - the subtlety and simplicity of Cunningham's Slant, the whimsy and imagination of Le Pladec's Veins of Water, and the raw energy of Keegan-Dolan's showstopping performance. 
that just drew you in and refused to let go, while Le Pladec's Veins of Water was this wild, sparkly ride 
that had me on the edge of my seat.
. And Sam Amidon's performance? Absolutely showstopping 
. Dance has this power to transport us and make us feel things we never thought possible, you know? And Marking Time at Sadler's Wells was like a masterclass in harnessing that magic 
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! The way each choreographer connected with Nico Muhly's eclectic scores is pure magic 
Meanwhile, Maud Le Pladec's Veins of Water was like a wild, psychedelic ride 
And then Michael Keegan-Dolan throws in that curveball with Sam Amidon and... game. over. I'm still processing how all the pieces fit together - it's like the choreographers were speaking different languages, but somehow they just clicked 
The thing is, dance and music are such a perfect match - it's like they're meant to be together 
... I know, I sound old 
... more like a slow-burning dance party that never ends 
.
. for me, it just goes to show that dance is all about connection and interpretation, and how music can be this powerful trigger for emotions and stories 
. And don't even get me started on how they're always pushing those "recommended" playlists that are just tailored to my listening habits 
. It's like they're stalking me or something 
. Can't I just have a decent playlist recommendation algorithm without all the bells and whistles? 
. And Le Pladec's Veins of Water was just pure magic 
But Keegan-Dolan's performance with Sam Amidon... wow 
. Anyway, I'm totally team Nico Muhly right now