If not exactly a disappointment, Henri Oguike's eagerly anticipated visit to the Linbury Studio Theatre felt underwhelming.
The independent dancemaker has dazzled audiences for a decade, and after a sabbatical everyone expected his return, with his troupe of just four dancers, to match hits such as Front Line (2002) and White Space (2004).
The evening opened with Freq, a solo for Elena Zaino dancing, or more correctly grooving, under a powerful bolt of water. The plumbing is impressive, with a waterfall pulverising and then sprinkling her in misty rain. However, it's hard to see more in the piece than a wet dress.
Inspired by a text by the third century BC philosopher Chuang-Tzu, Butterfly Dreaming
(co-choreographed with dancer Anh Nguyen), alternated gossamer poses with intriguing floor-based moves. Extracts from Tan Dun's Ghost Opera evoked the fragility of the loveliest of insects, and the light sculpture set suggested the flames to which we fly. Neither could fill the long stretches when the dancers had little to do.
These two sandwiched Toccato, to J S Bach, which featured Oguike's signature sensuous, clever moves and which reminded you of the talent he's bafflingly hiding away.
Tonight only (020 7304 4000, roh.org.uk)
Henri Oguike Dance Company: Butterfly Dreaming Tour (Freq/Point Of Contact/Butterfly Dreaming)
Linbury Studio Theatre At Royal Opera House
Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD
