CONTEMPORARY dance is not something I would usually take time out of my day to watch – give me a musical, a play or even a pantomime and I am there – but dance shows? Well, not so much. So, when I went to see Silent Lines at The Brewhouse, I was sceptical.

However, the Russell Maliphant Company completely changed my mind about modern dance. This performance was filled with energy from the beginning and I loved every minute.

The dancers, the lighting, the costume and the music worked synonymously together and created an hour-long performance that had me glued to my seat, mesmerised by the beauty of this talented company. Russell Maliphant’s style is poetic – it flows into each section with ease and simplicity.

Silent Lines is Maliphant’s latest show, which focuses on his fascination with the hidden dynamics of the human body. The lighting reflected on the costumes of the dancers, which almost mimicked small cellular patches of light on their bodies. The dark lines between the patches seems to represent the lines of connectivity – the silent lines – of the human body.

Stevie Stewart, costume designer, did a wonderful job of creating costumes that complemented the movement of the dancers, allowing them to move freely and explore their range ‘physical language’ that Maliphant was so keen to focus on.

The dancers themselves are very talented. Edd Arnold, Alethia Antonia, Grace Jabbari, Moronfoluwa Odimayo and Will Thompson all moved together beautifully – constantly connecting and disconnecting, representing Maliphant’s fascination with the microcosm and macrocosm.

During the middle of the performance, there were pulsating circles of light that would move around the stage becoming larger and smaller. The dancers did a wonderful job of keeping within those light circles and staying out of the darkness. When they moved, it appeared that they were on moving platforms and not just dancing in synchronisation with the lighting itself.

From beginning to end, the show was almost alive with electricity, from the constant mix of both stillness and fast movement within the solos, duets, trios and group dances. Maliphant’s style is beautifully poetic and if you get a chance to catch one of his shows – do it. Trust me.

I reckon that more Somerset residents should try watching something new at the theatre. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at The Brewhouse.