REVIEW: Dragons at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Dragons

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 16 March 2025

Korean Choreographer Eun-Me Ahn has produced a dance spectacle that amalgamates traditional and modern dance styles from across Asia. Combining live dancers and projection, it is a riot of colour, light and movement that yields moments of sheer joy.  At times, however, the projections take over and some sections of the piece feel a little indulgent.

The stage is dressed by dozens of hanging silver tubes that look like flexible ducting used for air conditioning. Ahn enters carrying a section of the same material but narrower. She potters around the stage playing with the tube like a child; making it now a snake, now a gun. This is, I fear, somewhat less engaging than she thinks it is. Once the other dancers enter, however, the piece takes off.

This is an impressive company of dancers. They bring beauty of line, athleticism, flexibility and conviction to a series of solos, duets, trios and ensemble pieces. Throughout, they interpret Asian traditions and a soundtrack veering from ancient to modern, whilst using a style and technique that should satisfy the most demanding Western dance aficionado.

The dancers are seen through a screen onto which are projected, at times, the images of other dancers, with whom they merge and interact. Other images are used to frame the dancers or otherwise enhance the visual impact.  One sequence, where the dancers interact with projected bubbles, was particularly delightful. 

There are thrilling sequences reflecting martial arts and charming ensemble dances with twirling silver skirts, that have a simple and engaging beauty. The dancers make effective use of the glorious costumes, designed by Ahn herself, richly coloured and cleverly constructed to add new dimensions to the movement and extend the vocabulary of the dancing. From minimalist black through traditional, richly coloured brocade to futuristic gold, they are very much a part of the choreography. Generally, no distinction is made between the sexes, presumably to enhance the ensemble feel of this well-integrated troop.

Ahn’s wish was to explore the myths and cultural influences of the dragon, which are much more complex than some westerners realise. This does not feel in any way like a narrative; it is more of a sequence of images, some arresting, some familiar and soothing.

In a wish to explore the relationship with water, an extended aquatic video sequence is projected, which rather outstays its welcome. Also, the latter sequences of the piece, using projected words that seemed to add little, and more repetitive choreography, made the piece feel rather like a work that was still evolving.

Nevertheless, there is rich imagination at work here and Taseok Lee’s clever video design generally supports that.  It is an evening that includes visual delights, memorable images and a number of surprises. I have seen nothing quite like it.

Review: Jonathan Cash

Photos: Sukmu Yun

Tickets:

Dragons plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Friday 14 - Saturday 15 March 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.