Myosung: Streetdance
Bizarrely maybe, but Korea is credited as producing some of the most exciting and innovative moves of street dancing. Dance company, MyoSung, reinforce the claim here with a varied and eclectic mix of one-off pieces designed to give a flavour of the breadth of their considerable talent.
Although rooted in hip hop and b-boy street dancing, director/choreographer Wave Zino Seoul’s efforts to raise the discipline to a more graceful and artistic plane is convincing. If you never thought you’d see the day when ballet, Irish dancing, hip hop and Korean traditional dance were jumbled up to produce a cohesive whole, with a soundtrack that includes ‘Amazing Grace’ and an instrumental version of ‘Hey Jude’, well here it is.
Incorporating themes of love, disability, war and disenchantment, the programme is interspersed with disturbing film footage depicting children ravaged by the violence of war and inspirational images of sportsmen overcoming disability. These tabloid style images, reinforcing the messages in the movement, suggest an insecurity in the dancers to communicate; unnecessary because the grace, energy and talent of this young dance troupe say more than enough. (Claire Griffiths)
Assembly Rooms, 226 2428, until 28 Aug, 4pm, £12-£13 (£10-£11).