THEATRE REVIEW: Velvet Petal

Fifty-five minutes of outstanding dance with performers bringing their all and more to this short but sharp piece from Scottish Dance Theatre. Velvet Petal has been created by Fleur Darkin, who tells of inspiration for the piece being taken from viewing in person the migration season of the Monarch Butterfly in Mexico while touring with the dance company, and the stylized work of renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. From this and from Darkin’s unique choreography comes a performance about change and identity performed to a gritty playlist of rock and dance music.

A rack of clothes stands on stage for each performer to change or alter their outfit in between performances, while the simplistic set of the clothes rack & a bare mattress are continuously moved around the space. Supplying constant change in this dreamlike setting that never feels to slow down. Every day clothing is used to create captivating dance sequences and potent imagery of examining ourselves, with the aid of Mapplethorpe’s distinct style of self-portrait photography. With very little lines spoken throughout, the piece is all dance and very little rest for those on stage. The audience are left stunned by the vitality of each dancer as they glide across the floor weaving closely through one another and twisting their bodies in whichever way they feel the music leads them. Each performance sways between an intense intimacy and ferocity making them mesmerising to watch.

Having only returned to the city of Edinburgh for one night, here’s hoping Velvet Petal will grace a stage of Scotland’s capital again soon to share both Darkin’s extraordinary choreography and the performances of all involved.