This warm and tender children’s dance-theatre piece about masculinity sees 44-year-old Robbie Synge paired with ten-year-old Alfie. Synge is trying to arrange his building site with industrial materials and DIY equipment, but cheeky young Alfie keeps getting in his way. When Synge hefts a trio of galvanised steel walls into place, Alfie tosses plumbing tubes over the top of them. When Synge tidies the tubes neatly away, Alfie scatters more mess. 

Their relationship starts out very much as one of parent and child. But, as Wordsworth once said, the child is the father of the man, and very soon Synge is learning from Alfie; not only to loosen up but how to cherish the mischievous, unbroken spirit inside himself the way Alfie does. They fool around, play with the equipment, roll in the giant tubes. 

When Synge dances with Alfie he seems to come alive. But when left alone the darkness creeps in. In a haunting, beautiful moment, Alfie sings behind a screen while Synge constructs a spotlight. Leaning against the screen to topple it, Synge’s face gives way to Alfie, lit by a soft glow. This is a quiet piece, where horseplay segues into a more complex, layered bond at the very end. It packs an understated punch.  

The Show For Young Men, Dance Base, until 24 August, 5.30pm; main picture: Andrew Perry.