Last year's visit to the Alhambra by the Nederlands Dans Theater 2 attracted audiences from around the region. Next week it's the turn of parent company the world-renowned Nederlands Dans Theater 1 to roll into town.
Since it was founded in 1959, the Dutch company has been regarded as one of the world's leading dance companies, re-writing the rulebook of aspirations, artistry and sheer prowess in modern dance-making.
The company constantly sets itself new challenges, the result being a repertoire of bold, intelligent, stunning dance. Occasionally dramatic, quirky or mischievous, it's a showcase for virtuoso dancers at the top of their game.
NDT1 comes to the Alhambra with two pieces. Silent Screen, set to the abstract but emotional music of Philip Glass, begins with a fascinating duet against the background of a solitary man vanishing into the sea.
When the dancers disengage themselves from the images, they display harmony and happiness. Then the sea transforms into a forest and the atmosphere changes.
The second dance is Toss of a Dice. Named after a poem by French poet Mallarmé, it involves 12 dancers entering the stage one by one, twisting and turning themselves into inventive shapes. Central to the scene is a sculpture with razor-sharp points by Japanese artist Susumu Shingu.
The show comes to the Alhambra as part of the Dance Consortium, made up of 19 large-scale UK venues.
This spring tour is made possible with a grant from Arts Council England.
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Nederlands Dans Theater 1 runs at the Alhambra on Tuesday and Wednesday. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.
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