THE ELEMENTS of the weather were certainly with the cast of Choreography Geography 2024 at Chapel Hill in Abbotsbury (by kind permission of Ilchester Estates) on September 6 and 7. 

This wonderful production, The Power of Love, is the latest Bridport Youth Dance performance, choreographed by Nikki Northover, Aimee Symes, Claire Benson and the BYD dancers.

On the first performance, the weather front led to the most stunning, cloud formation across the skyline and eerie, calm ocean backdrop.

The themes of the sea and historical references weaved through the show. The call and response of the land and dancers was mesmerising; the crows and birdlife mirroring the movement of the dancers on site.

Choreography Geography 2024Choreography Geography 2024 (Image: Len Copland photography) The couple played by Amber Palfreyman (Fiora) and Louis Donovan (Bertram) were professionally stunning in their depiction of the strength of their love; their partner work and lifts were beautifully timed; highlighting the tenderness of their relationship. The puppetry of Luna, the wolf and protector, had a gentle energy and the movement was beautifully portrayed by the puppeteers.

It was challenging terrain to move in and yet all the dancers performed 100%. The Fingerprint dancers, mature performers, part of ‘Grace and Growl’ were a stunning reminder of the power of dance for our health, fitness and wellbeing, whatever your age.

Throughout the performance, I was particularly struck by how all the dancers’ bodies were so in tune with each other, being able to pick up the nuance of movement in mirroring, unison; their awareness of each other in the space; their timing and execution, highlighted against a stunning backdrop.

The wind, Boreas/ Zephyr played by Charlie Green, was deeply gentle but also powerful in his destruction and then resolution of the couples’ relationship. A reminder of the power of nature and the elements that affect us all.

I loved the colours of this show, variations of blues for the sea sirens, the wind and the weavers, starkly contrasted against the white of the couples’ costume and that of the ravens.

Choreography Geography Choreography Geography (Image: Len Copland photography) The music was a mixture of recorded music, drumming and song. The songs and performance deepened the historical references and the solo sung by Iris Stephens was captivating.

The wedding of the couple at the Chapel was a tender celebration leading into the wedding dance by all the cast. With the backdrop of the sea, rope was used for the depiction of the ship and the storm causing the ultimate demise of the wedding party.

The second part of the show took the audience to a plateau with a view of the Fleet at Abbotsbury. Here, Bertram expresses his grief and then the resolution of the death of Fiora. Unique performances by several of the company portraying the complexity of emotions around loss and grief, as the sun set in a shaft of light across the sea.

The second showing of the performance on the Saturday, was not possible due to torrential rain, but the company resiliently regrouped and showed the performance for the audience in the Steps studio in Bridport.

Choreography Geography 2024Choreography Geography 2024 (Image: Len Copland photography) The company illustrating their passion, tenacity and commitment to each other to honour their last show together. The main dancers of the company are now going onto further training in dance and the arts across the country.

To bring a performance together with the strength, beauty and ethos that Bridport Youth Dance produces, takes years of training and commitment from the whole company. This was truly honoured and witnessed at this event; congratulations to you all.

Choreography Geography was supported by Dorset National Landscape, Dorset Community Foundation, Bridport Town Council, Groves Nurseries, Battens Charitable Trust, Bridport Town of Culture and Carpet World.