AMICI
The Lyric Hammersmith, 27 June 03
Reviewed by Katie Phillips (Dance Expression)

AMICI Dance Theatre Company is a unique dance theatre company integrating able-bodied, disabled artists and performers.

The first piece 'Breaking Out', is based on the following poem by choreographer Bill Robins.

I am lonely
My body prison
Door closed
Hear them
Talk over my head
Like vegetable
They afraid
To see me without mum
Watch them.

A spotlight opens on Bill Robins, principle performer, in his wheelchair, his strong arms open wide. With the rest of the stage in darkness it seems as if he is floating in space, before three more lights fade up and both music and movement break into a more upbeat, vigorous pace. Not one to be ignored, Bill confronts us confidently with an exploration of barriers to fulfilment; the hindrances, frustrations and grievances of living within a disabled body. In a world where dancers and performers are constantly and ruthlessly striving for perfection, it is interesting to witness someone striving to be seen at all. We see issues of freedom, voyeurism and the need that differences between people should be acknowledged and not concealed. Although the social stigma attached to having a mental or physical disability has generally been surpassed in today's society, there is still a huge need for unrivalled acceptance. Bill simply shows us that there is nothing to be afraid of, or look away from.

The piece opens into a duet with an attractive girl in a white dress, portraying compassion, comfort, dreams and idealisms, before a darker figure enters and takes control of both Bill and the dancer in white. The tone then changes again with red lighting and the hot sound of a guitar - the dancers mirror each others movement, their hand gestures almost flamenco-like.

The second piece, 'Untitled' is a beautiful, simple work consisting of a flowery swirling mass of performers moving in linear formations similar to stately court dances. With skipping in circles and whizzing wheels, the structure of shape, pattern, music and friendship is explored. The enjoyment of the dancers is almost overwhelming, their pleasure and delight in performance radiating into the auditorium.

The final piece of the evening consists of a full length spectacle in the style of 'This is your life', detailing the life, times and exploits of one of the companies oldest members, Marjorie Crawford, whose career as a dancer spans over nearly 70 years. 'Timestep' is a highly theatrical performance of cabaret spectacle and colour, swirling around the cyclical nature of time passing. The stage is full and vibrant with a sparkling cast ranging in age and ability; the old and the young, the able-bodied and the disabled. Humour and pathos and all that's in between are seen in the booty wiggling ballerinas, strong men and banjo players, drummers and a drunken gallivanting fairy with a gin bottle tucked under her arm.

There has been, in the past, some theatrical snobbery with regards to companies of mixed ability - groups have been accused of using their 'art therapy' demeanour as a performance pretence that doesn't work for external observers. However, alongside the creative, organic process of development, the professional group dynamics and on stage support and relationships of 'Timestep' were out of this world - something that you rarely see on a stage, especially in the dance world where everyone is so body/image conscious, competitive and hyper-ambitious.

AMICI is a highly professional performance company where individuals are celebrated for being diverse people, in the midst of which strong personalities lie and deserve to be recognised (seen not least in the beautifully chaotic bows). They free us from preconceived notions of art and disability - stereotypes are totally subverted and our perception of the power of theatre is not so much challenged as heightened.