Review: Stories, Peacock Theatre

RB Dance Company has achieved a lot in its six years of existence, becoming a hit on France’s Got Talent that same year and going on to make a number of television and stage appearances. Rather than a gimmick talent show troupe, though, the company, led by Romain Rachline Borgeaud, is truly phenomenal.

Their latest production, Stories, tells the tale of a successful yet frustrated actor, a controlling director and a series of events that wouldn’t be amiss in a classic noir drama. This is almost entirely irrelevant though — the story hardly matters, welcomely overshadowed by the talent, both onstage and off, that makes up this stunning show.

The performers, who appear far more numerous than they are thanks to clever choreography, quick changes and what must be significant amounts of running about across the wings, deliver tap-urban-jazz choreography with finesse and panache, capturing the audience’s attention from the get-go and keeping it until the curtain falls.

In group pieces, what looks like random movement is cut with moments of complete coordination, the cast hitting each sharp beat as one. Duets, whether romantic or antagonistic, are equally eye-catching, one particular moment being a masterclass in fight choreography, at once beautiful and vicious.

The ensemble is at its most impressive when props are involved; there’s incredible ‘cigarette-ography’ here, with burning red lights highlighting the extension of an arm or the turn of a head. More traditional props are employed too, from canes to briefcases, connecting the show to the toe-tapping musicals of the early 20th century without ever feeling stale. There are no moments of rest for the performers, who somehow, miraculously, keep up the energy levels for the entire 75 minutes.

The choreography here goes far beyond the dancing. The entire, complex piece is expertly engineered, with props thrown onto the stage for just a moment to set the scene or make a point before being whisked off and replaced. Aside from the incredible physical feats and compelling performances, the design of Stories is a spectacle in itself. The main set consists of large blocks that, in different configurations, become a film set, a seedy backstreet, a speakeasy-esque casino and much more besides.

Intricate lighting helps to separate these locations and enhance the dance further, with backlit segments creating an added sense of drama to the story. On the other hand, the music serves its purpose but isn’t particularly interesting. The lyrics contribute somewhat to the narrative but are, for the most part, very repetitive. While it doesn’t mar the quality of the production it does little to add to it, and occasionally feels strikingly unimaginative when compared to the choreography and overall design.

Somehow, the production avoids being over-designed; perhaps because it’s executed so precisely, and because the cast are so animated and engaged with the piece. It’s clear that this is a labour of love, and the enthusiasm of the performers matches that of the creative team behind it, who have produced what can be described as nothing less than a spectacle.

While the narrative is laboured and the music may not be winning any Grammys, the creativity, artistry and skill of the show renders criticisms of these aspects moot. Stories is a joy to watch, and as RB Dance Company gains a name for itself outside of France, its subsequent projects will surely be hotly anticipated and eagerly received.

Directed by: Romain Rachline Borgeaud
Costumes by: Margaux Ponsard
Hair and makeup design by: Bruno Segni
Scenography by: Federica Mugnai
Lighting design by: Alex Hardellet

Stories runs at the Peacock Theatre until Saturday 2 November. Further information and booking details can be found here.