BODIES IN MOTION: A STORY IN RHYTHM

 Nathan Arnold

 

Louder Than Words, a dance routine, plucked the audience’s heartstrings as they moved through a storyline of relatable personal struggle and consequent triumph. The event hosted in Totius Hall followed a narrative structure. There were two narrators who gave a little background before their message was acted out in movement by a cast of talented dancers.

 

The cast laid the groundwork for a sombre theme by depicting a feeling of isolation. The narrators detailed a scenario where the world got too noisy, the chaos causing internal turmoil. The dancers made this melancholic theme a reality with slow, almost forced, moves to songs like ‘The Sound of Silence’ and ‘Way Down We Go’. All the while, the narrators continued the message of adversity by portraying the silence as loneliness and emphasising the overwhelming self-doubt that can accompany it. This was made particularly relatable for the audience through the heavy music and the bodily expression of the dancers that seemed to cry out for help. Their twirls were slow and laboured, their attire dark, and their faces solemn. The audience got dragged to the depths.

 

The mood began to turn when the narrators introduced a religious aspect. They told a story of the strength given by God in times of need, times when we all feel defeated. The dancers emphasised this theme with ever-more-vibrant dances to songs like ‘Unsteady’ and ‘The Chain’. The mood they created ripped the audience from the dark place their first dances pulled them into and alleviated some pressure off their chests and allowed a breath of fresh air. The fast, deliberate and sassy moves of the dances followed the uplifting undertones of the songs, backed up by messages of individual strength given by the narrators.

 

Then the crossroads were reached. The story reached its climax with a revelation that we have all felt – the amazing feeling of powering through the self-doubt and through adversity in order to reach your goal or destination. The dancers happily swayed their way through songs, like ‘We Are’ and ‘Carry You’. The swift acrobatics of the dancers radiated revival energy that the audience quickly picked up on. This energy concluded the event.

 

The audience was uplifted.

 

Post event, both the audience and the dancers/managers were happy with the performance. Soreen Craven, an audience member and competitive dancer herself, said, “From a competitive dancer’s perspective, it was a good, enjoyable show to watch. The storyline was well-suited to the music and dances.”

 

One of the dance managers, Venette Hudson, believed the outcomes of the event were in line with what they set out to do. Dancers were able to express themselves correctly, and the audience received that energy well. Godwill Christian, one of the dance members, confirmed that dancing was incredible and fun, even mystical in the way he discovered himself through his bodily expression.

 

All round, this event was one for the memory books. A well-played-out story expressed by a coordinated group of dancers who communicated clearly without using their voices. They proved that sometimes we need not speak, because our actions are louder than words.

 

Performers on stage (Source: Venette Hudson)

 

Performers on stage (Source: Venette Hudson)

 

Edited by Antoinette Tshikota