3/5 stars

The programme for ‘Bish Bash Bosh’ stated that one should expect “a most unpredictable evening of dance”…and it was exactly that! Showcasing work from groups, duos and solo performers, the audience were exposed to a variety of pieces; from a dance involving a cello, to a girl throwing spaghetti across the room. The dances ranged from contemporary in style to more experimental; some were comedic while others were more serious in mood.

Audience participation was also incorporated in some performances. One particular group performed as children and ‘invited’ four members of the audience to a birthday party, in which they were dragged into a game of musical statues. The ‘children’ proceeded to throw water in their faces as they performed a well-choreographed piece involving heads and hands moving round the party table in perfect unison. Madness ensued as one suggested hide-and-seek as the next game.

One particularly enjoyable performance was by a female duo, consisting of quick costume changes, burlesque, and tap-dancing to the ‘Star Wars’ theme tune. The women combined comedy with dance in an effective way, speaking directly to the audience and imitating the stereotypical speech of ‘drama’ students, wanting to find ‘meaning’ in their work.

Anyone who is passionate about new work involving dance would have appreciated ‘Bish Bash Bosh’; the wide variety of performances meaning that there was something there for everyone. However, this variety also meant that there were some pieces which weren’t to everyone’s taste: some were pure madness, some were utterly transfixing, while others seemed to drag on for a bit.

Yet one thing that could not be faulted was the dancers’ abilities; every piece flowed well, with high energy present in each performance. Every move was precise, planned, and full of passion. Even when a woman was throwing herself around the room, it was obvious that this was the way the performance was intended to be. ‘Bish Bash Bosh’ was certainly an unforgettable experience, and an evening which thoroughly explored new forms of dance.

Alice Rafter