Not Leaping: But Falling

Inspired by the Richard Drew's iconic images of a man falling from the Twin Towers, Thomas Small's solo for Tom Pritchard chips away at the veneer of calm that encases the photographs. Far from being a symbol of violent death, it has often been presented as a serene moment of acceptance of horror: the man leaps from the burning building to meet death on his own terms.

Pritchard is building his own career as an improviser, but Small has choreographed Falling Man perfectly onto his long, slim body. The smooth descent of the picture is replaced by shaking and simmering movements: setting up the romantic readings of the photograph, the dance demolishes them slowly by imagining the sensations of dropping through empty air, the impact of wind on the body and, ultimately, the approach of the fatal landing.

Dance Theatre - led by dance, but incorporating words, including a passionate spoken finale - becomes the perfect medium for reanimating the static impression into a vivid, disturbing reality. The presence of Pritchard, at times elegant, then awkward and hesitant, undermines the absurd optimism around the serene interpretation: it attacks the idea of art as transcend, and brings it back to earth.