Hidden away at the top of the Lowry is the Compass Room, frequently used for weddings and events the theatre are utilising this fantastic space to stage the provocative and sexually powerful Some Greater Class.
With the set resembling a modern-day garden of Eden, choreographer Holly Blakey delves into the hyper-sexualised language of modern music videos in order to address the ideas of connectivity gender and class. Playing with subtlety, the shifts in dynamics heighten the complexity of pop culture.
Musicians Gwilym Gold and Darkstar have created a haunting soundtrack with a variety of slow, sombre moments and high-powered bass to reflect the diversity of movements and tones the dancers portray. Opening with aggressive and forceful movement that builds to an explosion, the thrusting and pounding mixed with the captivating connection between the dancers in the more intimate moments, make the piece rich with thought-provoking emotion.
The gender fluidity in the piece adds layers as the eight androgynous dancers intertwine and heightens the lack of passion in music videos. The queer dancers have intriguing neutral expressions that only alter during high-powered movements.
Diving into the hyper-sexualisation of the commercial industry, as a whole the choreography is entirely engaging. There are strong themes that lie within the LGBTQ community as it questions gender norms. The choreography breaks down the dancers and picks apart their vulnerability which brings them together.
Not only is Some Greater Class encapsulating, exciting and even at times humorous, it also highlights an important message about sex and violence. As the dancers embrace and fling themselves around one another. With slow rocking, heavy breathing, angry thrashing and pulsating we witness the different levels of sexuality and violence. It’s a gripping and important piece of dance that perhaps could have been tightened into an hour but nevertheless had a big impact.
Holly Blakey’s exploration into class, gender and sexuality is a visual feast for the eyes.
★★★★
Catch Some Greater Class at The Lowry in Salford, tickets and information can be found here.
