There were more bricks than kicks in She Is As She Eats, co-winner with Liz Roche's Blush of the Peter Darrell Choreographic Award 2000 and first piece in Scottish Dance Theatre's programme in the BT Studio of the Waterfront Hall last Monday.
The bricks seemed to symbolise something, as they were built up only to be knocked down and laid on a dancer like the weight of the world on her back, just as there was surely significance in the dancers being frequently at the end of their tether, restrained by rope or stretched material.
But trying to understand their relationships only distracted from Jan de Schyn kel's interesting vocabulary when he allowed his dancers freedom of movement to the insistent rhythms of Nicholas Lens and Michael Gordon, making me wish we had had more dance and less symbolism.
Very much more to my taste was Israeli choreographer Yael Flexer's Undone, which concluded the programme (the third item, Plunge, being cut without explanation). The five dancers began by attempting to outstare the audience before lining up on either side of the stage while the striking Darina Givan performed a silent solo.
Then, to the throb of Nye Parry's cello music, they took it in turns to demonstrate their athleticism or pair off in competitive bouts, exploring body contact before appealing silently to the audience to excuse, or join in mockery of, their competitor.
When all five danced, they used parallel and contrasting movement, mixing exhibitionism and self-deprecating humour, to bring cheering warmth to a cold, wet night.
Further performances at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh, on Thursday; the Rialto, Derry, on Friday; and the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, on Saturday.