Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was first performed in 1913 and is recognised as one of the most influential compositions of the century, with many of the controversial elements, irregular rhythms, clashing chords and booming bass lines, now entrenched in contemporary music.
The original score/ballet of the Rite of Spring displays a ritualistic pagan ritual, in which one girl is chosen to dance herself to death to celebrate the start of spring.  The theme of death and rebirth has lent itself to many interpretations and adaptions.

The Italian dance company, Dewey Dell, draws its inspiration from art history and animal behaviour; the performance delving into the eternal cycle of life and death.

The show opens with a giant caterpillar emerging from a pulsating egg into a cave, soon to be joined by leaf insects and leggy insect on stilts which may have been a spider. A giant red flower with golden stamen arrives and is driven back into the rear or the cave. The spider then reappears with a length of red fabric hanging from its mouth. Did he destroy the flower?

In the second half randomly, we see beekeepers appear with insect sprays and as one of their members is chosen, there is a dance to the death.

It’s difficult to see which art history is referenced though. The costumes certainly reflect the animal world with a caterpillar, leaf insect, stick insect spider and flower.
Teodora Castellucci’s choreography is energetic and primitive, capturing Stravinsky’s dissonant and harsh rhythms.  This is a bold adaption with extravagant costumes & atmospheric lighting taking a unique look at life and death.

4 stars.

Reviewer Nina Gardner

Photo credits – Andrea Macchia & Lorenzo Daverio

Performers
Teodora Castellucci
Agata Castellucci
Vito Matera
Demetrio Castellucci