Beta Wave Transport @ Dance Base

Against a medieval-like drone and ticking metronome, young Scottish hope Jack Webb flexes, bunny hops and contorts in this specially commissioned world premierefor Dance Base, Webb turns in a mercurial performance, evoking the beauty of a young Michael Clarke at his most provocative. He is clad simply in shorts, socks and t-shirt, and the set design is of similar minimalism.

As the music heightens, Webb’s limbs jerk spasmodically, as though he is trying on body parts which don’t fit: a kind of ballet tourettes. There are two props only, utilised unexpectedly, a child’s chair and shopping bag- Webb “wears” both, as if trying on different personas.
Prowling, a feral cat on heat, he circles the stage, tentatively, in slow-motion, then fitting in almost epileptic paroxms, before crashing to the floor , curled up in a foetal position.

At times, it is almost like witnessing a man unravelling before you, and the audience complicit.
Startling and original, Beta Wave Transport may make you feel dirty- but in a really good way…