Murmuration Level 2 is something unlike anything else in London's dance scene. The show, choreographed by French artist Sadeck Berrabah, is less a traditional dance performance and more a living sculpture – an hour-long visual poem where bodies draw patterns in space.
The title comes from the natural wonder of birds flying together in ever-changing shapes, and that is exactly what the show brings to life on stage. Around thirty dancers move in perfect unity, creating patterns that ripple and transform with extraordinary precision. Sometimes it feels like watching the sea move, sometimes like shapes being drawn in the air.
It is hard not to be amazed by the discipline and focus of the performers. Every movement is clear, sharp, and perfectly timed, yet the overall effect feels fluid and natural. One moment they are a single giant wave, the next they break into smaller groups, only to join again in new formations.
Berrabah blends many styles – hip-hop, contemporary dance, martial arts, and even a touch of ballet – but it never feels forced. Instead, the mix creates a language of movement that is fresh and exciting. The music by TRex drives the performance forward, ranging from quiet and thoughtful to loud and powerful, while the lighting and haze add an extra sense of atmosphere.
With a running time of just over an hour and no interval, the show holds your attention from beginning to end. It is intense but never overwhelming, and the final sequences are so striking that you leave the theatre with images still playing in your mind.
Murmuration Level 2 is not only a dance performance but an exploration of unity, discipline and grace. It proves that movement, when shaped with imagination and rigour, can become pure art.
It runs until 20 September.
Photo: Tristram Kenton