Quand le Corps S’exprime: The Body’s Narrative is pure poetry from start to finish. Beginning and ending in silence, it is a production without story, theme, or statement, it is pure dance.

With a bare stage except for a long strip of white fabric with black markings, draped vertically at the start of the production, the ensemble of three women and two men in flesh briefs and bodysuits begin the all too short forty-five minutes in slow motion. As the soundtrack joins them, they move in canon, in unison, in solo and in duos.

The work is lyrical with slow controlled moves, with some faster and more complex passages. A solo dancer interacts with the material strip, gathering it, before removing it altogether. The fabric idea is repeated with three dancers, one with a very long strip of white fabric tied around his waist, extending off stage and another dancer carrying a third on his shoulders with another long white strip. The effect is mesmerising!

My personal favourite section involved a long red strip of fabric held aloft by a female dancer on a male dancer’s shoulders moving across the stage in a funeral-like procession. At the end of the strip is a female dancer with her back to us who sits and ‘dances’ with her arms and shoulders, a truly beautiful moment!

The ‘finale’ to the production is performed by the entire company with fans that have transparent material attached so it trails as they move. 

Quand le Corps S’exprime: The Body’s Narrative features some of Taiwan’s best young dancers. The enthusiastic response of the audience at the conclusion of the performance is an indication both of the artistry of the dancers, their choreography, and a recognition of their talent and skill. Hopefully audience numbers will build as this production is worthy of full houses!