It’s not easy being a fledgling dance maker. There aren’t many spaces to perform new work in, and even the small stages expose every shortcoming. Multiply that a hundred-fold for the new piece by Jonathan Watkins at the Opera House. The Royal Ballet dancer has a good eye, keen ear and intriguing ideas but he is still learning his craft, and his apprentice status is magnified on the vast Covent Garden stage.
As One tracks the lives and loves of young urbanites in all their social, domestic and personal diversity. The opening sequence shows promise, as does the duet for Laura Morera and Edward Watson, and musically, Watkins has made a fine choice with composer Graham Fitkin.
However, other sections look like unfinished workshop ideas, and the hip-hop inspired sequence is so-so compared with the clever work we see from several indie street dance makers.
Design wise, the costumes recall motorway hi-vi workwear and including a kitchen sink in the set rarely works in dance.
The rest of the new-ish bill includes Kim Brandstrup’s Rushes with an excellent Carlos Acosta, and Wayne McGregor’s Infra, which confirms the considerable talent of The Royal Ballet’s resident choreographer. The rigour and consistency of his ideas, and the clarity of their execution, are reason enough to celebrate.
But McGregor goes further, creating a choreographic narrative that skips plot and instinctively connects with our needs and sorrows.
In rep until 4 March. Information 020 7304 4000. www.roh.org.uk
Royal Ballet/Triple Bill
Covent Garden
WC2
