Re:INCARNATION – Hull New Theatre

Not being familiar with the Yoruba philosophy which forms a big part of Re:INCARNATION, a show brought to the Hull New Theatre stage by the QDance Company, I Googled and learned of its values – in the hope of it helping me to understand more of what I witnessed on Friday evening.

Reading that there is a supreme being known as Olorun or Olodumare, plus numerous divinities known as Orisha, revered ancestors and malevolent or benevolent spirits, and that Yoruba people’s cardinal virtues – love, morality, temperance, honesty, honour, bravery, justice, prudence, and fortitude – helped me not a jot.

So, I relied on my imagination, relaxed in my seat on Row I and prepared to soak up what turned out to be an amazing spectacle produced by 10 young Nigerian dancers, plus two on-stage musicians.

The stage setting remained dark all night and was quite dimly lit at times which added to the atmosphere, of which there was plenty.

At the start of the show, 10 dancers stood huddled in the spotlight to the right of the stage and began to dance to a mesmeric drumbeat. Colourfully dressed, they danced as in a trance at times, robotically at others; I even spotted a bit of breakdancing.

Large black and white words appeared mentioning “birth” and, after what can be described as a “love in”, one dancer “gave birth”.

The crowd dispersed to the dark shadows of the stage, stripping off their colourful garb and emerging with possibly less clothing (the males), but still plenty of glorious colour.

More black and white words appeared, this time mentioning “death” and it’s not long before things took a sort of violent turn, when the group turned on one poor soul. His death throes were long, protracted and very energetic; the other nine dancers showed their disrespect for this character by taking off their jackets, skirts etc and piling them on top of his body.

All the while the two musicians kept up the tempo with guitar and drums, mainly, sometimes building to a crescendo. It was hypnotic, sensuous and deeply affecting.

Life, death and re-birth are the themes of this show, performed with an explosive energy that never slowed for the full 90-minute performance (no interval).

The aforementioned Yoruba philosophy mixed with the joy-of-being-alive spirit of Nigeria’s youth culture, mark the “urban chaos of the Nigerian city of Lagos”, according to the press release.

My dearest chum, Annette, sadly no longer with us, lived for a few years in Lagos, while her husband was in business there and her regular letters and annual catch-up back in England, gave me quite an insight into the way of life in that city. Some of her stories were scary, but all were fascinating and interesting.

In Re:INCARNATION, one section, a monologue – “those who cut will be cut; only one king can rule” etc etc – proved too long for me, but was followed by my favourite part of the show.

The dancer who did the talking (in a loud, clear voice I must add), was eventually surrounded by the other nine, who covered her arms, legs, chest and face with black, shiny greasepaint.

As the group dissolved into the blackness at the back of the stage, they reappeared all covered in the stuff. Lights caught their every movement, and it really was a sight to behold, as they moved separately then as one – to the beat of that all-powerful live music.

Did I understand everything on stage that night? No. And my ignorance meant I didn’t know when to applaud a scene. I got the impression nobody in the far-from-full theatre did either.

But when it became obvious the show had finished, this talented crew received rapturous applause, whistles and cheers, that was thoroughly deserved.

Running until Saturday, October 12th, 2024; 7.30pm. Tickets cost from £10. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Reviewer: Jackie Foottit

Reviewed: 11th October 2024

North West End UK Rating: