Review: "YouthandDeath at Dixon Place
Photo by Robbie Donaldson. Pictured: (Left to right) Katarina Lott, Chris Bell
Max Berry
Contributing Critic - New York
“YouthandDeath”, written, directed, and choreographed by Chris Bell, tells several stories of his life all strewn together in the fragmented way that one would recall things from memory using beautiful dance, a narration from Bell that feels very much like a spoken word poem, and a unique selection of music ranging from Cole Porter to Nicki Manaj. It features an ensemble of four dancers (Nicole Baker, London Brison, AJ Guevara, and Katarina Lott) each representing a different essential aspect of life, being (in no particular order) Youth, Death, Change, and Beauty.
Bell’s choreography was mesmerizing to watch. It felt very pedestrian yet at the same time incredibly abstract. This contrast made the show feel so much like it’s own world yet these were still people we could connect to. Bell’s narration throughout was practically music in itself, letting the words come from every inch of his soul to where we felt every word buzz through the theatre. This was the perfect pairing to the stunning choreography of the show because what is dance if not that which we feel so profoundly in our bodies yet cannot put it in to words? Dance is a raw emotional art form in a way that words will never be able to replicate so when Bell felt his memories more than he could say, the dancers were there to pick up where he left off.
Though at times hard to follow due to the fluidity of the timeline, Bell gives us a real insight into the moments in his life that shaped him into who he is today as well as how the passing of particular people in his life affect his outlook on life and death and seeing him actually relive these highs and lows was a kind of theatrical intimacy that is not often replicated. This allows you to stop looking for where a particular dance fits in on the timeline of his life and really focus on how these moments are hitting him as well as all of the other dancers.
Even if you can’t relate to all of the experiences detailed in “YouthandDeath”, chances are you can relate to at least one of them. Whether it be the feelings of loss, of being an outsider, or simply having to survive, there will be something that will resonate strongly within you and leave you different than when you entered. I, for one, was not prepared for a particular part of the show to hit me as hard is it did, and by the end, I had tears streaming down my face. Cleverly mixing dances of joy with dances of pain and sorrow, these kinds of responses come out of nowhere and will be different for each audience member.
“YouthandDeath” blends dance, poetry, and music with the raw and honest stories of a man who is using his art to tell the more painful part of his life alongside the more beautiful ones in a way that anyone can relate to. With the help of incredibly talented dancers and wonderfully striking and beautiful costume design by Dav Burrington, “YouthandDeath” is a very moving theatrical experience.
“YouthandDeath” received it’s world premire at Dixon Place in New York City (161A Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002).
It ran Thursday, October 25, 7:30 PM, Friday, October 26, 7:30 PM, and
Saturday, October 27, 7:30 PM
It was written, directed, and choreographed by Chris Bell.
Dancers: Nicole Baker, London Brison, Aj Guevara, and Katarina Lott.
It features costume design by Dav Burrington
For more information visit chrisbelldances.com