Cape Dance Company

Pop star-slick, but patchy
The key to what doesn’t quite work about this uneven showcase from one of Africa’s most acclaimed young companies is right there in the first piece – Michael Thomas’ pastoral/pop fusion Treasures of the Heart.
They’re technically superb on the languid balletic movements, but aren’t able to transition seamlessly between these and the deliberately cheesy pop-video gestures woven into the work. The dancers are all talented, but while their bodies go through the motions, there’s little feeling behind it.
Jittery satire on the fashion industry i-Dollf is surer ground for a troupe of dancers who could be models, and there’s some stunning comic physicality here, but they’re a little too slick and sanitised to really do justice to the tribal rhythms in the finale triumvirate of African-fusion works. Given the country’s history, it’s also disquieting to see these pieces performed by a predominately white company.
Zoo Roxy, 662 6892, until 29 Aug, 2.30pm, £12 (£10).