Carlos Acosta and Zenaida Yanowsky have teamed up with leading choreographers to bring a world-class performance of contemporary ballet to the Brighton Dome until Saturday.
On Before is made up of nine episodes with their own style and stories, yet they are connected through a strong movement vocabulary.
The aesthetic is stripped back to the bare essentials; dancers in monochromatic costumes strikingly lit against a large dark stage – however the effect is grand and evokes religious tones.
City choir Jam Tarts bring a haunting live arrangement to the final dance and perform throughout, perfectly complementing the two dancers with slow considered movements across the stage.
The relationship between the two dancers and the intensity of the performance is central to this affecting performance.
Acosta and Yanowsky’s talent is truly mesmerising; the simple display of technique and commitment to the performance is emotionally powerful and inspiring. The dancers communicate a high level of drama and tension throughout bestowing tenderness, violence and reverence on one another.
The film Falling Deep Inside is an unexpected highlight, filling the height of the Concert Hall with abstracted images of Acosta and Yanowsky and exploring the highs and lows of relationships in a visceral montage.
Five stars
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