Choreographer Alvin Ailey faced great hardship during his early life in the Deep South. Channeling these traumas, he created dance works that, over the decades, have become American classics. This is his legacy: the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Seen in London, Legacy/New Works was presented in three very digestible parts separated by two intermissions. Above all, it was the power and passion of the dancers that stood out. Medhi Walerski’s Blink of an Eye leaned heavily on the music of Bach. This pillar of classical sound has found footing in much contemporary dance, and here, it worked well to establish atmosphere, grappling with themes of absence and presence as noted in the program. Jamar Roberts’ Song of the Anchorite had a distinctly ritualistic foundation. Channelling Ravel, this solo piece felt deeply intimate, with a shroud utilised as both a costume and an offering.
Judith Jamison’s A Case of You, set to Joni Mitchell’s wondrous song, presented a steamy romance for two and was perhaps the strongest of the newer works. Many Angels by Lar Lubovitch possessed an ethereal, heavenly air. Against a cloudy backdrop and set to Mahler's agonising Adagietto, there was much lifting of feet, with dancers hovering and guided by one another as an ensemble. While pretty, I found it slightly fluffy.
While there might not be enough space to discuss every work on display in full detail, each was thoughtfully considered. Ending with Ailey's classic Revelations—comprising "Pilgrim of Sorrow," "Take Me to the Water," and "Move, Members, Move!"—the finale served as both a reminder and a calling. The stirring spirituals remain the mainstay of the program, showing the dancers at their most sublime. Parasols, frenzied fans, and lacy dresses provided vivid visuals of hot summer days, while themes of connection and community held the pieces together. It was touching to witness, leaving the audience on a joyous note.
It runs until 19 September.
Review: James Ellis Photo: Sadler's Wells