Review: FIGURES IN EXTINCTION, Aviva Studios
Collaboratively presented by Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), Complicité, and Factory international, Figures in Extinction is the world premiere of the complete dance trilogy created by world-renowned international artists choreographer Crystal Pite and artistic director/co-founder of Complicité Simon McBurney.
The trilogy performed by NDT1 dancers premieres at Factory International’s Aviva Studios in Manchester, and consists of three sections, but the first two works of the trilogy have been presented publicly previously; the first installation, the list, premiered in 2022, and the second part, but then you come to the humans, premiered a year ago in February 2024. Part 3, requiem, the third and final instalment of the Figures in Extinction series is a new piece co-commissioned by Factory International. Each of the three sections are very different from one another, both stylistically and with their meanings, but they also tie in together beautifully to present an insight into different aspects of life and death within our world.
Opening the show, Figures in Extinction [1.0] the list delves into the list of species and environments that have become extinct as well as those endangered and at risk of extinction. As species are listed off one by one above the stage, the dancers independently and collectively embody each creature and environment through Pite’s choreography. Each of the dancers have their arms and much of their torsos exposed so that the audience can see the intricacies of the movements through tension and quivering of muscles to give a detailed representation of each animal. As the list goes on, it moves on to the next figure quicker and quicker, until list overlaps due to the overwhelming volume of content, and the dancers break off to form several of the list entries at once. The whole section is reminiscent of a nature documentary as the voice over lists off facts and characteristics of each species, which is then portrayed by the dancers onstage. Amongst the various animal species and natural environments in the list, part 1 also includes something a little different: a climate change denier. This character is very performative and charismatic in his movement to physicalise the words of the voiceover, but whilst at first is enthralling and funny to watch, is also unnervingly familiar as an influential personality capturing the attention of listeners and distracting from the ever-increasing list of extinct species and environments.
Figures in Extinction [2.0] but then you come to the humans is the next section of the trilogy, which focuses on (unsurprisingly thanks to it’s title) humans. Part 2 begins very still with everybody sat alone yet mirroring each other’s actions of sitting in silence, staring at the glowing lights of phones in their hands, scrolling endlessly as voice overs of an array of videos on social media play – some trends, some entertainment, some informative and some spreading misinformation; some of them even echo elements of the list. One voice over discusses how the brain works and the dancers explode into what seems to be similar to a seminar on the truth of the workings of the human brain, how it differs from other animals, how it functions when building connections with others. This section also utilises videography with live onstage footage projected onscreen behind the dancers, filmed from both up close from the point of view from one dancer and a mirrored image from a bird’s eye view of the stage. Each of the elements to part two looks at how humans yearn for connection in a separated world but also shows how our lives mirror each other and that we may not be as separate as it first seems.
In the final part of the series, Figures in Extinction [3.0] requiem explores death and offers a glimmer of hope in the uncertainty of what lies beyond life. This section of the piece feels to be the most exposing for the performers as this time around, the voice overs they move to include recordings of them talking about loved ones they have lost from their lives and their connection to them. The preceding segments of the performance already showcase the athleticism and control of the cast members with the choreography, but this third part highlights and utilises the dancers’ passion for the artform to elevate the quality of the show further.
All three parts of Figures in Extinction are filled with spectacular dance performances which encapsulate the very essence of the natural world and encourage audiences to consider their own relationship to it. The production cleverly combines documentary style voice overs and dance to create a mesmerising and informative work of art, but the show is also filled with stunning and imaginative lighting, sound design and videography that really elevates the production as a whole and makes it that extra bit more breathtaking.
A curious insight into the slowly disappearing natural world, Figures in Extinction is a phenomenal production that really is a credit to the world of dance. Exploring some serious topics and not only injecting comedy into them at times but also showcasing the bittersweet beauty of them. Figures in Extinction now being a complete trilogy, means you get to see three mesmerising dance pieces for the price of one, an experience not to be missed.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jess Dalloway
Figures in Extinction plays at Manchester’s Aviva Studios until 22 February, with further info here:
https://factoryinternational.org/whats-on/figures-in-extinction/