Week twelve

For the first time in twelve weeks I'm completely torn and a bit baffled.   I don't really want to be negative about this one but somehow I have no choice and also, I'm not really sure what to say.

I was definitely excited to go and see "The Most Incredible Thing" this week, a ballet that the Pet Shop Boys have scored the music to.  It certainly had the elements to be a bold and unique work - a fusion of polished electro-pop, stunning choreography and world-class ballet dancers.  But it just didn't quite work for me.

It sort of doesn't seem like anyone's fault either.  Pet Shop Boys were definitely at their best throughout - the familiar beats and strong synths but with an evolved warmth and emotion that was stunning and punctuated the story where necessary.  The dancing was mostly excellent, especially in the beginning scene where the setup is of an authoritarian community and the dancing and choreography reflect this with the robotic and stoic movements.

Copyright Hugo Glendinning 

The show is crucially flawed because you don't really know whats going on.  If you read the program then you will discover that it is about a King who offers his daughter and half his kingdom to anyone that can show him "the most incredible thing".  Leo, the clockmaker creates a watch that everyone agrees is the most incredible thing.  But then the evil Karl destroys it and that is deemed more incredible.

Regardless of whether you know whats going on or not the choreography is all just a bit of a mish mash.  There is some wonderful contemporary dancing and ballet but then there is also far too many other bits like aggressive digital images and animation, cheesy whispering voices,  a strange live parody of X-factor style reality TV shows and a random astronaut walking on the moon.

However, it was not all bad, there were some bits that I thought were actually very cool and clever.  I particularly liked the more colourful and visual scenes such as the 1920's homage with the dancers in bowler hats and tights.  The music was perfect.

But the best by far for me was when it all seems hopeless for the Princess.  She is going to be stuck in a life of servitude and evil piety and the regimented dancing was like Daft Punk "Around the World" for the Armish.

Good, of course always triumphs over evil and Leo rightfully wins his prize and his end scene with the Princess is absolutely beautiful.

Copyright Hugo Glendinning 

So as you see, my writing this week is, I feel a little haphazard in places. Perhaps I've not been as succinct as possible and a bit waffly.  Ironic really.

For week thirteen I'll be going to Late Nights at The Science Museum.