Review: TUTU, Sadlers Wells – Peacock Theatre

As much as the Everything Theatre gang love theatre, they will probably admit that there are times when it’s hard to stay out. When you’ve had a hard day at work, you’ve got toothache and it’s pouring with rain –hypothetically. But occasionally you step into the theatre, and thank every bone in your body for taking you there. This was one of those nights. 

Chicos Mambo’s TUTU, choreographed by Artistic Director Philippe Lafeuille, is a complete tonic to the world we’re living in today. The show promo tells us that it’s an “homage to the dance world that can sometimes take itself a little too seriously”. And as I fall into hysterics with the audience around me, Lafeuille has clearly succeeded. 

The show is a cabaret, a concoction of acts inspired by the very serious world of dance. The tutu appears throughout the show, whether it be with over-constructed tulle costumes, a man appearing to be chased by a tutu, or a ridiculously little version showing off the dancers’ incredible physiques. 

When the show pokes fun at ballet, with a version of Swan Lake that should be renamed Duck Lake, it’s done with warmth and love. In fact, every reference to dance, from traditional ballet to the famous Dirty Dancing lift, is often silly, poking fun at stereotypes, but clearly created by those that love the art of dance in all its forms. 

At one point, what starts off as a relatively serious ballet performance becomes incredibly funny when fellow dancers in entirely black outfits, and therefore blending into the black curtain at the back of the stage, enable the dancers to do increasingly impossible lifts. The staging is incredibly simple, but the lighting is used ingeniously throughout, at one point meaning legs appear to dance across the stage on their own.

There are many moments of the show that almost tip into clowning, and the physical humour is impeccable. As are the moments of audience acknowledgement, knowing looks or requests for encouragement that are embraced and supported by the crowd. 

Silliness is the dominant feature of the show, but don’t let that fool you. This show really packs a punch. The piece in which a solo dancer, with a tiny tutu and a rugby helmet on, performs part ballet/part haka, triggers reflections on masculinity and power, a theme that appears throughout, no matter how curious the actions on stage become. In amongst all the giggles (and believe me there are plenty), there are also moments of dance so beautiful you’ll catch your breath.

It’s hard not to just gush over all the incredible dances that fill this production, but that would be spoiling the surprise, and surprise is such a delicious element of TUTU. But there’s just one I can’t resist sharing. When the incredible company took their final bows and Lafeuille took to the stage, I was ready to grab my coat, with TUTU having already lifted a bad day into a brilliant one. Little did I know we were about to be treated to a communal dance class, to “tutu-fy” London. As we swayed, with increasingly enthusiastic arm movements (tricky in the stalls) and sang along to Shostakovich’s ‘Waltz No. 2’, I had that swell of emotion only unique moments like this can bring. Thank you TUTU, I’m well and truly “tutu-fyed”. 

Choreography & Artistic Direction by: Philippe Lafeuille
Assistant Choreography by: Flavie Hennion
Technical Direction by: Armand Coutant
Light Creation by: Dominique Mabileau assisted by Guillaume Tesson
Sound Creation by: Antisten
Costume Design by: Corinne Petitpierre assisted by Anne Tesson

Dancers: Marc Behra, David Guasgua, Julien Mercier, Kamil Pawel Jasinski, Vincent Simon, Vincenzo Veneruso, Corinne Barbara

TUTU is at the Peacock Theatre until Saturday 5th October. Further information and booking are available here.