A joyfully collaborative dance experience for the very young, full of spectacle, starlight, creativity and caring.Rating
Excellent
The wonderfully welcoming space of the Half Moon Theatre hosts an equally open-hearted performance this autumn – evim [my home], presented by Ceyda Tanc Dance in conjunction with Theatre Fideri Fidera. Aimed at ages 2-7, this is a beautiful and surprising non-verbal dance experience for young children that draws together ideas of wandering, friendship and collaboration and offers positive knowledge of unfamiliar cultures by sharing joy and interaction.
The theatre is draped in folds of cream fabric, gently lit from within and ethereal, with three dancers already present as we enter. Clad in a similar colour palette, it’s as if they are an extension of the space, and they move intricately through it. They welcome the young audience warmly, weaving around each other to uplifting music, connecting and smiling. These are strong female role models, enacting a performance inspired by Turkish Sumi and Rufi dance that draws on ideas of the nomad and whirling dervishes. It’s visually lovely and creates an inviting atmosphere. However, after a while I thought the children were getting restless and were about to lose interest – how wrong could I be though?
A huge shift in atmosphere and interaction suddenly creates a wonderful shared space where we journey together into an awe-inspiring engagement that the audience go wild for. Features from Turkish culture are carefully integrated into the performance, which uses traditional scarves and dance styles. The children become connected with unfamiliar images and rituals from that homeland as they too perform. It’s thrilling to see them dancing and excitedly waving scarves, throwing them in the air and helping to decorate one of the dancers – also, importantly, relishing the attentiveness of the performers, who really take time to ensure they feel involved in whatever way is comfortable for them.
The production is rich in sensory delights. The energy leaps as the characters whirl around, the room dimming and their skirts lighting up, leaving the young audience completely captivated. There are wonderful moments of almost metaphoric imagery, such as one dancer standing goddess-like on a lit box, which the children are keen to copy, taking a moment for themselves to be validated. The box doubles as a drum, and soon everyone is synchronised, tapping the floor together in time to the music.
The highlight is a truly joyful spectacle where the draped set becomes the skirt of a statuesque goddess, blossoming into a huge parachute, which the children rush to play with and under. We’re then transported from day to night as the room becomes a starlit wonder. The performance just delivers and delivers and delivers, leaving everyone wide-eyed, amazed and moving together.
evim [my home] is a hugely enjoyable show and would be a fabulous event to link to a birthday party. As it conjures all the warmth of ‘home’, it fills the room with joy, laughter and excitement, creating collaboration and care as children and adults play, imagine and share together.
Presented by Ceyda Tanc Dance & Theatre Fideri Fidera
Choreographer: Ceyda Tanc
Director: Natasha Granger
Producer: Hayley Ovens
Devising dancers: Chloe Mead, Colette Kite, Gabby Sanders, Isobel Gosney
Music: Asta Hiroki
Costume: Holly Murray
Set: Casey Jay Andrews
Lighting: Rachel Sampley
Videography: Roarke Pearce
This performance is now completed. You can find out more about Ceyda Tanc Dance below.
