Dance festival Resolution 2026, a showcase of new dance acts, is currently running at The Place. Last night the show was “Wild Guess, Westpfel Co. and Ming Chin HSIEH“.
Helen Cox went along to see what this trio of new dance performances had to offer!
A visit tonight to The Place, an innovative dance space in Euston, and home to the London Contemporary Dance School, was a pleasant eye-opener.
This show, part of this year’s Resolution Festival and staged in the round, featured three very different modern dance styles.
Opening the evening was London-based Westpfel Co.’s Fracture, choreographed by Megan Westpfel, who has used her skill as a performer to become a gifted, emerging dance director.
The show explores the cycle of death and rebirth, offering a glimpse into “who you truly are before the world told you who to be”
This dance troupe consisted of six energetic, young dancers. The stage was dark, smoky and atmospheric. The dancing was fantastic.
The second dance was Born, Never Asked, choreographed and performed by Taiwanese artist Ming Chin HSIEH.
Born, Never Asked is based on Ming Chin’s own personal memories regarding the fragile bond between a mother and daughter.
Beautifully captured and emotionally strong, this is a dance of pain, affection, and remembrance.
Finally, Scottish collective Wild Guess’s Attention Economy was far more abstract, with live sound, movement, and poetry.
A collaboration between poet and playwright Harry Walker, movement artist Margot Conde Arenas, with sound artist Robbie Hall, this utilises somatic movement practices and mindfulness.
A fascinating piece, but it may not have the wide appeal of the first two. It challenges the audience with its visceral fusion of text and body.
Overall, this was a interesting and enlightening showcase. You cannot fault the sheer skill and passion of the dancers.
Contemporary dance is very different to traditional ballet but festivals like Resolution and Dance Umbrella allow a variety of performers and creatives to share their work.
I’m giving this ***.5 stars.
Resolution 2026 continues at The Place until 25 Feb with the full programme here.