Emotion, Siobhan Davies Studios

It’s still dark outside when my alarm goes off, bleary eyed and heavy from 1 hours sleep, I make my way with my partner to Siobhan Davies Studios for a novel dance show to be held at sunrise. I would like to say I’m so dedicated to the art of dance that I dragged myself from my bed at such a time when I’m usually coming home from a night of dancing, but the actual motivation was my partner being involved in the show. But I swallowed my reservations and was curious of how such a fete would play out having heard little about the show. My mood was lifted with coffee on arrival and the comradery of the mutual groans going around the studio. As dancers and audience members arrived the reception area become alive with a buzz of excitement waiting for this unique experience to unfold.

4am and we were hushed into a silence deeper then I’ve experienced an audience to achieve, as the dancer’s navigated us outside. Stood in the playground of the connecting school in the dim light of dawn, I felt an almost childish wonder, something about being up before the rest of the world and watching the dancers beginning to stretch, warm up their hands and breathe, encouraging us to follow in curiosity of our bodies. Milling about the space I felt aware of each other and appreciative of being in this experience together, which I believe was the artists’ aim. In the programme they explain that the show, called simply ‘Emotion’, attempts to:

“…explore ways to collectively unleash and share emotions with generosity, and to find new rituals and feelings in common.”

We then quietly follow each other inside where we are invited to sit around the edges of the large studio and a stillness fills the room. Then one by one the dancers begin to enter, slithering across the floor, limbs rolling purposefully, filling the space. They moved as individuals but also as one entity, movements seeming organic and playful. Broken radio audio providing a familiar backdrop. The sun rose discreetly, the dancers cast in the morning light, their gestures becoming more energised and I felt as if we were all waking up together.

Moving into the body of the dance, emulating the day-to-day chaos of life with groups of dancer’s performing different choreography. Some were performing sequences inspired by styles such as krumping and martial arts, whilst others lined up to deliver individual expressions and others played tug-of-war with clothing items. I was impressed by their ability to maneuverer around each other and execute their part with so much going on, a chaos mirroring how life can sometimes feel. Though it was hard to know where to look and see everything, it never felt too busy.

It was beautiful to see the individuality of everyone which made the movement feel relatable and human. Often dance can feel unreachable with movements perfected to an elite level, sculpted bodies showcased in tight leotards, not a hair out of place, legs lifted over heads, arms held like cranes. An amazing sight to see but the beauty of this piece was ability to show each person in their own light whilst also performing as one and bringing the audience in with them. I thought of my own body and how we often forget to move for the sake of moving. We are so weighed down by self judgement and shame that we forget how much our bodies can do and how amazing they are.

A few performer’s sang some ‘karaoke’ - talented singers with words projected behind the audience - which brought a lightness to the show and energy, evoking a different sense of aliveness. The duet of 'Hey Jude’ particularly prickling some tears. This also showcased the beautiful array of talent that the, mostly first time, performers had and which the Siobhan Davies Studios had managed to bring together, with a diverse cast of age, cultures and abilities. All of whom seemed to have establishes a bond, over the 8 workshops they attended, with the smiles shared between them throughout.

Throughout the workshops the dancers had explored the cycles of birth, life and death, using voice and dance to ‘express the inexpressible’. Ending in a sombre piece with the chairs as props carried solemnly by the dancers in a coffin precession, possibly resembling what we leave behind after death. Though it was a moment of stillness it was one of hope and optimism which was reflected in the applause at the end as well as the joyous cries of the dancers celebrating their achievements.

With the sun now up we continued the celebrations with breakfast laid out by the studios, a beautiful feast of pastries, bread, fruits and coffee. It was a very unique experience compared to most events, usually held in the evening with glasses of wine and quick exits to get home. People talked and mingled, sharing reflections of the show and in the elation of the dancers, it was a very special way to see in the morning and all by 7am.