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Immersive and impactful, Wayne McGregor’s UniVerse: A Dark Crystal Odyssey demonstrates the power and raw feelings surrounding the climate crisis, in the 80’s cult classic’s spiritual, rather than literal, successor. Summary
Rating
Excellent
Wayne McGregor has been busy at Sadler’s Wells this week, where he is one of their Associate Artists and Company Wayne McGregor is resident company. Making use of this platform, he has put on two showings this week beginning with two nights of Wayne McGregor’s Autobiography (v95 and v96), and then for a further two nights of his UniVerse: A Dark Crystal Odyssey.
For those unfamiliar with McGregor, he is an important figure in dance. His bookshelves are lined with awards, and his name is decorated with a CBE. Honorary doctorates mark his prowess in academic circles, and he is Professor of Choreography at the creative Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Commissions might speak the loudest, though, and his work has been seen in blockbuster films, on TV, and in music videos, on top of his own numerous creations. Studio Wayne McGregor is his network of collaborators that fuels the work of his world-class dancers in Company Wayne McGregor.
UniVerse began with the seeds of inspiration from the 1982 dark fantasy film with which it shares a name: The Dark Crystal. Rather than offering a re-telling or sequel, McGregor invites us to reflect on the themes and undertones of the original movie through a new lens. In the film, a world is ravaged by evil creatures that manipulate, use and abuse the planet’s precious resources for their own selfish gain. Sound familiar? UniVerse brings these uncomfortable connections with our own corrupt world to the forefront in an immersive collection of visions of life. However, apart from a few hints to the original, UniVerse is not easily recognised as a successor to the 80s cult classic.
Credited to a dance company and choreographer (McGregor), our attention is obviously drawn to and carried largely by the ten world-class dancers. But around them are striking and exciting visuals, in dramatic lighting (by Lucy Carter) and videography (by Ravi Deepres), as well as immersive and impactful music (by Joel Cadbury).
The immersive design of the experience is extraordinary. With transparent screens allowing the videography to blend easily with live action, and the music being loud enough to feel like my own heartbeat, it is arresting and moving. The slight nods to Dark Crystal are nostalgic, particularly the costume and headpieces by Philip Delamore and Dr Alex Box.
It seems as if UniVerse begins as life itself did; under the sea, moving out onto the surface and discovering the sun. It isn’t long afterwards it seems that organisation brings chaos, and some harrowing evocations of the climate crisis bring strong feelings of shock and awe. The movement is, as expected, phenomenal, thanks to McGregor’s choreography and his collaboration with the excellence in his Company. But the complete experience, with all elements equally absorbed and digested, is where the showing’s impact lasts.
Artistic response to the climate crisis often leaves me feeling a bit funny. Perhaps slightly ashamed, being one of the species that has corrupted and broken a beautiful planet. Perhaps also annoyed because the strong feelings evoked are usually in an echo chamber of sorts, shown to those who are aware of and passionate about our ecological responsibilities. It’s not us who need to see this show, to feel these feelings, to know our wrongs – it’s the small number of people making the big decisions who need swaying. In any case, at this level of excellence I’ll take it. And for the others, UniVerse would be the way I would choose to show them the genuine result of how we should meditate on our dying planet.
Dancers: Winnie Asawakanjanakit, Rebecca Bassett-Graham, Naia Bautista, Jordon James Bridge, Chia-Yu Hsu, Hannah Joseph, Jasiah Marshall, Salomé Pressac, Salvatore De Simone, Mariano Zamora Gonzalez
Direction and Choreography by: Wayne McGregor
Produced by: Studio Wayne McGregor and the Royal Ballet in association with the Jim Henson Company
Music by: Joel Cadbury
Film Design by: Ravi Deepres
Dramaturgy by: Uzma Hameed
Lighting Design by: Lucy Carter
Costume and Head Pieces by: Philip Delamore and Dr Alex Box
Spoken Word by: Isaiah Hull
UniVerse: A Dark Crystal Odyssey has now finished its run at Sadler’s Wells. To see more from Wayne McGregor, please see his website.
