Atomos at Sadler’s Wells

Atomos at Sadler’s Wells is an innovative new dance piece, conceived and choreographed by Wayne McGregor and Random Dance. The performance is the outcome of R-Research, a thirteen year project, led by McGregor, which brought together researchers, from both dance and science backgrounds, exploring the connections between the mind and body through creative choreography.

Atomos follows on from Thinking with the Body – which is currently on show at the Wellcome Collection, but in place of this show’s experimental approach, Atomos offers a highly-polished, carefully balanced fusion of vision, movement and sound with an intriguing digital element – for which the audience are required to wear 3D glasses. The show takes its viewers on a painstakingly devised journey from the dawn of human civilisation through to the industrial age: from that very first cell division to the death of the physical body, examining both relationships and social interactions along the way.

The performance is complemented by a thrilling, futuristic score composed by the collective A Winged Victory for the Sullen, a collaboration between Adam Bryanbaum Wiltzie, founder of Stars of the Lid, and Dustin O’Halloran.

The contemporary costumes by Studio XO help create the optical illusion of falling light, bringing another element to the experience, however it is the ten dancers who are the real stars of the show, carrying out complex routines while appearing to do so with grace and ease.

Atomos is a masterpiece which demonstrates the huge new potential for the future of dance, through the introduction of technology and visual effects, and the show’s impressive attention to detail helps to keeps the audience gripped throughout its entire 65 minute timeframe. Atomos can be highly recommended, both to seasoned dance enthusiasts and to those still discovering the art form.

Melanie Weaver

Atomos is at Sadler’s Wells until 12^th October 2013. For information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.