Original score: Tim Dickinson and Sophy Smith
Director: Kevin Finnan
Choreographers: Kevin Finnan, Daniel Massarella and the cast
Following a national and international tour earlier this year, Motionhouse: Hidden is in Birmingham at the start of a second tour. As a Midlands-based organisation, and Associate Company at the Hippodrome, it is, as always, a treat to see them perform here – and it’s classic Motionhouse, with some extra twists.
Before the main event on press night, we are treated to a curtain-raiser. It has become traditional for the Motionhouse Creative Learning team to work with young people through the Hippodrome Education Network, to assemble a short piece to be performed on the main stage. As with all Motionhouse work, it’s choreographed largely by the dancers themselves, and it demonstrates the wealth of young talent that there is out there because it is an absolute delight. It contains much that is clearly inspired by the Motionhouse style, but without some of the more extreme elements and is choreographed and performed to an extremely high standard. You could easily imagine this choreography being performed by a professional company. As well as providing a great experience, it gives young dancers confidence and helps to develop the artists of the future – and it’s a future that’s looking bright.
Then it’s Hidden. This is typical Motionhouse – there’s a story but not in the traditional sense, there’s high energy, and there’s risk. This is not just dance, it’s dance-circus, and at any point in the production, there’s a strong possibility that at least one dancer will be high in the air, either balancing or dropping and about to be caught by others. The dancers are clearly encouraged to contribute to the production, to experiment and to find new ways to move and to hold their bodies – and you’ll see things in this show that you won’t have seen in anything before it.
Hidden is a story in two halves. It has a message about crisis, reflecting on the world and the impact that disaster has on people. We start with descent into darkness – projections show cityscapes, people young and old, rushing to their destination, with dancers on stage trying in vain to connect. Projection is a key element in this part of the story, with the dancers moving large wedge-shaped structures covered in fabric, which act as multi-faceted projection screens. Standing sometimes as a wall, at other times being moved apart, or closed together creating passageways, doors, hiding and revealing dancers, and all timed to perfection with the music and projection. Then the fabric is pulled away and dancers are revealed encaed cocoon-like in transparent wrap, trying to break out. It’s hugely impressive and very effective. Choreography is earthy and vibrant, depicting a struggle for survival in a world of chaos. The original score by Tim Dickinson and Sophy Smith creates a driving urgency for the dancers to respond to, as the action builds to a climax.
Then things slow down for finding the light. It’s a much shorter act, with simpler staging, the wedges transformed into a single steep slope. Everything is more muted, with a sense of calm as the show draws to an end and everyone comes together.
It’s thought-provoking and poignant, examining the choice between thoughts of self and thoughts of others, and how success and survival can really only be achieved by collaboration. The act one visuals have good impact, both in terms of the set and projection and the choreography, though the change of style in the second act risks giving a feeling of deflation despite the show’s final resolution. That said, the choreography throughout is acrobatic and stunning, high-risk dance-circus full of balances, lifts and throws in true Motionhouse style. The skill of the dancers is undeniable, and the collaboration between dancers and the technical and design teams is clear to see as every step, every set move, and every lighting change hits the mark.
It’s no surprise Hidden is back on tour. It’s stunning and well worth a visit.
Runs until 11 October 2025 and on tour
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