Colossus is billed on the Southbank Centre website as “fifty dancers move as one in the UK debut of one of Australia’s leading choreographers, Stephanie Lake”.
The dancers are from London Contemporary Dance School at The Place, and they do indeed move together in timing, gesture, and even vocalisation.
At first, lying on their backs, feet touching with the person on each side, making a circle, starting a ripple that echoes the water motif we see at the start, Colossus quickly becomes more urgent as the group splits into two, their movement led by one of their number.
After a chaotic blackout, we find the dancers arranged like a school group photo, reacting to a voice telling them how to move heads, shoulders, hands, mouths.
Later, a duet, some solos, a sequence that gives a sense of statues. I tried to watch every dancer at some point. Each offered something different even in the same gesture. Each responded to the music, choreography, and the moment in their own way.
Colossus is an exhilarating display of dance, trust, synergy, and a showcase for these performers and Lake’s choreography. Sometimes flowing, sometimes staccato, sometimes a blur of arms, legs, and humanity.
There’s even a moment where it seems the group has relaxed into chatting, hugging, and laughing – before turning on one of their own in a vicious mob mentality.
These are dancers who each have their own look and energy, even within a piece that requires them to bury individuality. One has hot pink hair. Another has very expressive eyes. Another holds a raised leg pose at the back of the throng.
It’s a show full of joy, vitality and sheer devotion to the art of movement. First performed in Melbourne in 2018, Colossus marks Lake’s UK debut. Bosco Shaw’s lighting casts shadows, shapes, and spotlights.
The music composed by Robin Fox is very contemporary – often like a heartbeat or a breath. At one moment, the dancers take on their own accompaniment with body percussion and sounds. Harriet Oxley’s all-black costumes offer each dancer an individual look while ensuring group conformity.
This is an experience to savour as these dancers leave their student lives behind to join the world of professionals. Although the individuals were not credited, I think there are several performers here who will be worth watching, whatever path they take next.
Four stars.
Colossus played at the Queen Elizabeth Hall from 25-27 Jun 2026.
For more about The Place and the London Contemporary Dance School, go here.
Photo credit: Camilla Greenwell