Damned Beautiful

Helix Dance certainly have an almighty task on their hands. Bringing to the Fringe Damned Beautiful, their interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey, they are this year pitting themselves against the much-hyped and greatly anticipated Matthew Bourne production based on the same novel.

Albeit with a lesser budget and in a smaller venue than Bourne, this slick, low-key production instantly excites as two male dancers emerge, engulfed in darkness, commanding the space and demanding full attention.

Set to a soundtrack of plucked strings fused with snippets of dialogue, the characters explore their physical and inner selves. Pushing and pulling, falling and catching, the power shifts from man to man as the piece unfolds. The fluid choreography is simple and refined, cleverly interpreting and expressing the themes of the story.

Oozing energy and charisma as the impish, impressionable and increasingly unstable Dorian, dancer Keir Patrick tackles the role with an effortless charm and grace. Teamed perfectly with the talented Neb Abbott, the powerful duet is performed with passion, as the love-hate relationship between the men crescendos into a frenzied swirl of connected physical movement and sheer brutality.

The space is thoughtfully lit, drenched in gold and blue, casting a shadow over the all-important canvas. Yes, the stage design may be simple and the production low key, but there is no doubt at all that Damned Beautiful may well even eclipse Bourne and his more extravagant production.