Breathtakingly beautiful, the only way to describe Avant Garde Dance: The Black Album. The complexity of most contemporary pieces is normally rather vast but it is nothing compared to the range and dynamic of emotions displayed in this performance. The company 8 spectacular dances who were really the heart of the performance they displayed elegance, passion and pain - to be able to do this is truly the work of a professional.
Avant Garde Dance began with founder Tony Adigun who initiated the company itself but also the piece that was wonderfully put together. The company, I believe, is constantly blending styles and genres that push the core of modern dance - dealing with emotions and music not before seen with this or any other contemporary company. They are highly respected and recognised in the world of hip hop and the whole of dance in general. They’ve performed in many prestigious places such as; Barbican; Stratford Circus; Trafalgar Square; The Place and The Royal Opera House. To be performing at even one of these spaces must be an honour - never mind all of them. 
The performance is really something of a marvel, they brought together music and dance in a way I have never seen on a stage, a mixture hip hop and the music of Mozart being a favourite of mine. It was great to see the younger generation being introduced to music that was not before accessible to them - but in this new recreation it really did seem to resonate to them in a way that spoke the same language as them. Another highlight came at the top of the show at what seemed to be a piece that was filled with torture and pain, something not so commonly used in dance, in my opinion it really displayed the way of the world we are in today and the current headlines that circle all of our minds.
The music used was an eclectic range from Jazzanova to Mozart, Woodkid to Trentemoller, Linkin Park to Beethoven - the range of the music is outstanding and the way in which they used them was a true marvel. This is shown to be all down to the incredible work of Dan Beats who brought all this music and editing to life. Lighting Design by Antony Hateley is of the standard of a world class production also Lisa Hood who acted as the Rehearsal Director/ Creative Consultant surely did great work behind the scenes that were effortlessly shown. The imagination and creation from Tony Adigun (Artistic Director & Choreography) and Sara Gordon (Assistant Director & Choreography) was the highest calibre possible - it is rather unfathomable from someone who isn’t from a dance background that the pieces themselves can even be dreamed of - never mind performed.
And finally to the performers themselves who sold this performance with every part of their being - every inch was perfection, one and all truly masters of their craft. The piece was performed by Lee Crowley, Sia Gbamoi, Ajani Michael Johnson Goffe, Robia Milliner, Hakim Saber, DaniHarris-Walters, Chaldon Williams and Gavin Vincent. The Black Album was astonishing a performance to the future of dance and hip hop itself.
Reviewer: Brad Wilson
Reviewed: 27th January 2016
