Liz Roche's highly imaginative and original work stands out from that of most contemporary choreographers working in Ireland today. Her new piece, Peeling Venus, created for Rex Levitates Dance Company, which she founded last February with her sister Jenny and brother Denis, should be seen by anyone interested in the development of modern dance here.
The piece runs for one hour without interval and, though the 400 or so seats facing the Ark Stage in Temple Bar Square do not all give a perfect view of the action, Thursday night's large and enthusiastic audience showed that they considered all the head twisting worthwhile. The company was blessed with fine weather for its first open-air performance, the only disadvantage being that it was 20 minutes before the sky darkened sufficiently for Mark Waldron's lighting to be fully effective, despite the 10 p.m. start.
Denis Roche's fine score moved from a driving beat via a lyrical slow movement to modern catwalk-style accompaniment, as the action demanded, while Helen McCusker's attractive costumes lent themselves as well to the courtly manoeuvres of 17th century France as to the frenetic movements of today.
Above all, Jenny Roche, Simone Litchfield, Jonathan Mitchell, Colm Seery, Lisa McLaughlin and Katherine O'Malley danced with grace, energy and commitment to their characters' suffering in the cause of vanity.
Plays next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Call to Temple Bar Properties, Eustace Street, for free tickets.