Looked at dispassionately, art world anniversaries often seem more like schedule fillers than the creative celebrations they claim to be. No such reservations with Henri Oguike, the British choreographer whose company is 10 years old and whose visit to the South Bank makes you think too little rather than too much is being made of the decade.
Oguike is a significant talent, albeit with a lower profile than many of his peers. This is baffling as his choreography has an ease and humour and sensuality that has long been absent from contemporary dance and which, if we’re honest, we all rather miss.
Oguike supplies in spades. It comes from the groomed articulations of contemporary dance wittily combined with quirky jumps, skips and flat-footed shimmies. The moves occasionally look like flirtatious duck waddles yet they never seem silly.
The ability to splice serious dance with choreographic humour is rare, yet Oguike makes it look easy. The work is not new (Front Line is from 2002, White Space from 2004, and Finale from 2003), although new is promised. In the meantime, his nine young dancers (most recent additions to his troupe) look good, as do the musicians of the Pavao Quartet (playing Shostakovich) and harpsichordist Carole Cerasi (playing Scarlatti). As well as crafting charmed dance, Oguike also chooses serious music.
Tonight only (0871 663 2580, www.southbankcentre.co.uk).
Henri Oguike Dance Company: Mixed Bill (Front Line/White Space/Falling/Finale)
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road, Waterloo, SE1 8XX
