Hofesh Shechter’s young company are an international bunch but their slo-mo curves and sudden shocks deliver some startling home truths about the UK
here’s an irony, of course, in a piece about English identity that’s made by an Israeli choreographer, with a cast from Taiwan, Iceland, Belgium and elsewhere, just two Britons among them. Shechter II is the younger branch of’s company, all recent graduates . Having newly taken up residence here they’re getting a crash course in English cultural studies.
Shechter, to be fair, moved to the UK 20 years ago, so he’s had plenty of time to observe the contradictions of the country with his critical eye. His dance language may still be strongly influenced by his time with Batsheva Dance Company in Israel, but you can’t say he hasn’t fully absorbed the subject at hand.The eight dancers appear dressed in school uniforms, with blazers and ties, and rousing Elgar blasting through the speakers.
The movement has slo-mo curves that slink and slurp, then sudden shocks rocking the dancers’ bodies. There’s precision control and then the neat seams torn apart; the characteristic English restraint and the absolute bloody violence of history. Shechter’s great at sudden moments of tension or suspense, he embraces theatricality . There’s utter seriousness, there’s humour, and sometimes you’re not sure which – his work is wily like that, court jesterish.
If you’ve seen a lot of Shechter’s dance before, this all might feel familiar, but he still has something to say, and he can be subtle as well as blunt about it. From England With Love is the work of a satirical agitator, still angry at the world, indoctrinating his new recruits.
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