Seek Dance Crew present a slick and tight performance at Bats Theatre. The work is devised by Pat Godinet and he has the passionate backing of his crew. The obvious dedication this group has to Godinet’s vision and the choreography is expressed through precise unison work and solos that fizz. Daphne Seyb also has a big influence on the development of the performance.

It is odd to begin with the video promo for the show when we are already in our seats and it means it takes a while for the show to get going. Video projection of the crew in various settings is used throughout and whilst it provides a background for the narrative structure that the piece hangs on, it tends to drag down the tempo and energy of the performance.

The performers are, Daphne Seyb, Alana Corlett, Monica Tirados, Sandip Singh, Ena Spitzenberg, Chanelle Tatuava, Daniel Chen, Rigie Abadies, Manuel Soloman, Beth Chote, Nico Beri
Princess Whioke, Shannon Mason-Marks, Matt Seagar, Anita Corlett, Patrik Godinet and Adelaide Levy.

Seek began as a women’s crew and many of the original performers are still present. Their performance and dancing has grown enormously and they bring a gutsy presence to the stage. One section that has them dancing on their own is particularly memorable.  The male and female energies blend well and Godinet has an ability to get the best from these dancers with intricate arm gestures, tight footwork and speedy shifts in the group structures. Along with this is a great use of rhythm, dynamic changes, counterpoint and unison.

A narrative structure centred on a party where people interact and experience the emotions that can get stirred in such a setting, brings logic to the dance sequences. Interactions are introduced on the video then we see them expanded and played out live.

The section L.O.V.E Crimes brings tension to the work with a lover’s tiff  between Seyb and Godinet leading to a third party becoming involved. The tried and true dynamics of a love triangle are played out. There is a very satisfying duet between Godinet and another male where they mirror each other’s movement in clever choreography to a slow track. This story element would have been strengthened by choreography expressing the woman’s perspective.

The 45 minute work ends on a dark note with Godinet slipping into drug use and despair – this is heavy place to leave us; there is a possibility for some kind of coda that offers  a glimmer of resolution or hope. The feeling in the auditorium was that the audience craved something else from this story line – not necessarily a ‘happy ending’ but some kind of resolution.

Even an upbeat encore would have done if for us.

With Bats bursting at the seams and an extra show added Seek obviously have found a loyal audience as they continue to push at the boundaries of the hip hop form and challenge themselves to produce fine dance.

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