Bill T Jones and the
Arnie Zane Dance Company
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The Phantom Project
Sadler's Wells
15 - 19 June 2004
'Symmetry' would be a good alternative name for Bill T Jones, in his physical appearance, in the way he moves when he dances, and in his choreography. He likes symmetrical shapes; in the dances he devises there are always patterns, recurring and unfolding and regrouping. Pairs and trios of dancers disassemble and reassemble perfect geometries as they accompany the music (they accompany it, they do not dance to it) in his pieces; there is something kaleidoscopic and hypnotic about it, but at the same time something fresh, original and deeply pleasing.
The highlight of the first programme, here under review, was 'Reading, Mercy and the Artificial Nigger', in which a reading of Flannery O'Connor's story 'The Artificial Nigger' provided the score for a movement-theatre accompaniment. The story is such a good one that at times it took over completely, attention to it obscuring the dance; but the dance kept reasserting itself at crucial moments, so the tapestry of tale and interpretation worked.
The Arnie Zane Company is a fine assemblage of talent, giving Bill T Jones excellent material to work on. He chooses pleasing music too, and in his own solo 'Etude' the elements of his instinctive understanding of movement are simply and effectively displayed, in subtle relation to a Beethoven string quartet.
There are few better ways to spend an evening than in company with dance of this quality.
AC Grayling
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