Object of My Affection

Whether the programme has been curated or hand-picked from applicants, it seems that someone behind the scenes at Greenside Venues has an eye for dance. Their programme this year has been alternately challenging and accessible; great for lovers of the medium and equally good for enticing in new aficionados.

Object of My Affection falls into the latter category and would be a brilliant way of introducing children to both dance and different styles of classical music. Gloriously costumed, eclectic and pacy enough to engage even those with the attention span of a gnat, the triple-bill takes us from short character-based dance sketches through to a purer form of energised choreography.

In 'Seated', lightning-quick vignettes about our relationship with chairs take us from 18^th century courtly desires to a man gracefully grappling with a flat-pack Ikea dining chair. This last is the most engaging; Joshua Royal struts the floor, full of male swagger before getting himself in a pickle and ending up with (curiously pretty) asymmetrical furniture.

The title takes a more metaphorical turn in the second segment, 'À une passante'. Two couples yearn for each other but only one is able to fully connect. Richard Chappell’s 'Into Decay' has less of a direct relation to the theme, but makes for an athletic and climactic finale.

The male dancers aren’t quite up to the level of their female partners—and don’t go expecting to see Scottish Ballet—but MurleyDance has created an admirable programme full of the colours and textures of dance’s entertaining potential.