Review: Hidden, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

At the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, Guildford, Motionhouse bring their premiere tour of Hidden to a triumphant close. Conceived and directed by Kevin Finnan, this extraordinary piece draws on circus and gymnastics skills to inform a powerfully innovative dance language. A compelling, breath-taking performance examines the theme of darkness and division, exploring human interaction with our environments and with each other. It reflects on how we share space, the need we have to rely on each other and the positivity that can emerge from human interaction.

This is a visually striking work from the outset, where fabric covered frames are initially animated by dynamic digital projections, designed by Logela Multimedia and portraying a frenetic urban world of tower blocks, trains and crowds. Stepping slowly and precisely onto the top of each, two performers stand dominantly and controlled – like the iconic angels of Wim Wenders’ classic film Wings of Desire. They survey the human madness beneath; demanding time be taken for consideration. Within the disorienting, fast-moving digital imagery, a solitary dancer struggles to exist, ignored by others despite his suffering. It’s visceral and agitating: we feel his stress and sense the commentary on a world where there’s isolation in a crowd. But warmly playful moments and a variety of other energies are also seen to exist in the dance of life; a gamer humorously interacting on a console, a couple in romantic embrace. There’s delightful illusion as the performers slide in through two-dimensional Tube doors. Throughout, a fluid, original score by Tim Dickinson and Sophy Smith gives a beautifully cinematic quality to the narrative.

The metal structures themselves are an outstanding design achievement (Simon Dormon), signalling strength, oppression and support in their material being, whilst flexibly morphing across multiple uses throughout the storytelling. Dancers interact within, on and around them and at one point the frames host womb-like cocoons, where performers are individually trapped and tumbled around by the others. They portray helplessness in the huge devices, before their mutual struggle to emerge from crippling restriction yields success and connection.

The seven performers (Alex De La Bastide, Olly Bell, Llewelyn Brown, Dylan Davies, Blair Moore, Sophie O’Leary and Beth Pattison) work with almost telepathic ability, sharing the space in multiple dimensions as they explore the pressures of our world and using their bodies in thrilling ways to relate emotion and experience. Circus and gymnastic skills bring an extra level of jeopardy and excitement that elevates the moving, emotional enactment of the dancers still further. At times there are precarious towers of humans, one taking the strain of many. Individually, they are thrown or leap from heights in terrifying moves that underscore the need for trust between human beings. It’s choreography with unfathomable precision: just one mistimed step could mean disaster. But the success of collaboration is exhilaratingly beautiful and completely captivating, feeding in to the overall theme.

The second act raises the bar higher still, largely performed at height on a huge, 45-degree sloped panel. Thoughtful integration of light and movement sees the human figures melt, sliding downwards and defying gravity in an awe-inspiring expression of exertion and human co-operation. Illusion and ideas of possibility in the exceptional, almost unbelievable movement work bring a magical quality, while Andrew Hammond’s evocative lighting design is artfully sympathetic to the performance.

Hidden is a remarkable piece of theatre that will certainly take your breath away. But importantly, it will also allow you to carve out time to consider the possibilities of human interactions amongst ourselves and with our planet, bringing a message of exciting potential and achievement embodied in co-operation.

Conceived and directed by Kevin Finnan
Choreography by Kevin Finnan, Daniel Massarella and the cast
Produced by Louise Richards
Set design Simon Dormon
Metal fabrication by Daniel Massarella Davey Boyall and Arcangel
Fabric wrangling by Melanie Nute
Original score by Tim Dickinson and Sophy Smith
Digital imagery by Logela Multimedia
Video design and disguise programmer by Logela Multimedia
Creative consultant and content development (film) by Leon Finnan
Costume design and creation by Cathy Eddolls
Technical manager and lighting design by Andrew Hammond

Hidden has now completed its current run. It next tour continues from October.