DEEPSTARIA
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
★★★★
“unique, mysterious, dreamlike, ethereal and challenging”
Since the beginning of time humankind has had a fascination with the unknown. Our imaginations and desires have been fired to explore the world, and beyond, to its limits. One of the greatest and simplest discoveries that this quest has revealed is the realisation that deep space and the deep sea are not that different. What is curious, though, is that we spend more time reaching out into space, while much of our own planet – under the sea – remains unexplored. This is the starting point, and the focus, of Sir Wayne McGregor’s latest work, “Deepstaria”.
The title comes from one of the ocean’s more mysterious jellyfish. A fragile, gossamer-thin creature. Ghost like and elusive. Its full name is ‘Deepstaria Enigmatica’, which is apt as McGregor’s dance piece is a very enigmatic affair. Collaborating with Oscar-winning sound designer Nicolas Becker, music producer LEXX and lighting designer Theresa Baumgartner, he has created something quite unique but, like bodies lost in space, we’re never really sure where it is going. There are clear references to the deep sea, and hints of outer space; and the vast unknown is symbolised by being plunged intermittently into a void of darkness. It is through a burst of this episodic blackness (courtesy of something called Vantablack Vision) that we are led into the dance.
Nine dancers inhabit the space. As though underwater their movements are floating. Aqueous and boneless. Sometimes in slow motion, sometimes gathering momentum, reflecting unknown currents that propel them. They emerge from rockpools of light, fluid and agile. McGregor’s choreography is mesmerising and the dancing meticulous. The music throbs, tethered to every sinew in mood and rhythm. But then a jolt severs the connection, and we are left in the void again. It is bewitching and disturbing.
The dancers leave the ocean; we appear to be on a shoreline. The light ebbs and flows like shallow waves. Baumgartner’s design certainly comes to the fore with some breathtaking effects. Slanting beams become fine rain with astonishing realism. Red hot washes alternate with marine blue mists. Through these sequences the performers ripple. Initially near-naked, later evolving into androgynous figures in Ilaria Martello’s diaphanous costumes – the deep-sea references underscored beautifully.
The experience is almost like gazing into a giant aquarium. We are transfixed, yet it is excruciatingly monotonous. Exquisitely so, nevertheless. Our senses are thrilled but the effect never quite reaches our heart. Like the musical soundtrack it scratches at the emotions until we almost feel we have had enough. Yet we never switch off. The balletic quality of the performers repeatedly draws us back into their complex world. It is fathomless and unfathomable. Like its gelatinous namesake, “Deepstaria” is unique, mysterious, dreamlike, ethereal and challenging. Sir Wayne McGregor CBE is a trailblazing choreographer who innovatively dips his toes into other artforms. With this show he dives headfirst into the depths. It is ultimately a thrilling collaboration.
DEEPSTARIA
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
Reviewed on 27th February 2025
by Jonathan Evans
Photography by Ravi Deepres
Previously reviewed at this venue:
VOLLMOND | ★★★★★ | February 2025
DIMANCHE | ★★★★ | January 2025
SONGS OF THE WAYFARER | ★★★★ | December 2024
NOBODADDY (TRÍD AN BPOLL GAN BUN) | ★★★★ | November 2024
THE SNOWMAN | ★★★★ | November 2024
EXIT ABOVE | ★★★★ | November 2024
ΑΓΡΙΜΙ (FAUVE) | ★★★ | October 2024
STORIES – THE TAP DANCE SENSATION | ★★★★★ | October 2024
FRONTIERS: CHOREOGRAPHERS OF CANADA | ★★★★ | October 2024
TUTU | ★★★ | October 2024
CARMEN | ★★★★ | July 2024
THE OPERA LOCOS | ★★★★ | May 2024
