Having been performed to widespread critical acclaim earlier in the year at Saddler’s Wells, the ballet production 'Dark Arteries' once more took the breath away on the start of its UK tour in Salford.

Fairey had the daunting task (for three nights) of following Tredegar’s immensely impressive contribution to the London production, and rose splendidly to the job.

Miners' Strike

'Dark Arteries' commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of the Miners' Strike - exploring the crepuscular hinterland and emotional lifeblood of the communities from which coal is ripped from the bowels of the earth. 

Gavin Higgins’ score is engrossing in its complexity and deep seated purpose - a personal tribute to those who have worked, lived, loved and even played in an industry that defines the geography as well as the personality of the people inextricably linked to it.

Emotional impact

The title refers to a mining poem by Mervyn Peake, whilst the choreography by Mark Baldwin also pays homage to Tudor's ballet, 'Dark Elegies' from the 1930s. There is no specific reference to time and place - allowing the universality of the emotional impact to resonate with listener’s imagination.

The imposing stage design, with the band behind Perspex riot shields (a reminder of one of the iconic images of the 1984 strike) drew the audience gaze into a ‘kettled’ spotlight that shone on dancers who moved with viscous malleability. 

Soaked in depth

Higgins’ score was equally liquid; soaked in depth of character, texture and harmonic complexity, drawing the listener further and further into the music like a miner digging ever more deeply into the seam of coal - the dark artery of the title. 

Jonathan Lo did a splendid job as the integral link between dancers and band - keeping the tight rhythmic structure in place (essential for the dancers), whilst still allowing the ensemble to display a tasteful rubato - especially in the solo features on the demanding flugel, euph and soprano parts. The percussion playing was admirably tight. 

Narrative line

The opening section, with the music rumbling in intensity saw the females dancers in long dresses shape the narrative line; at times playfully at others with an almost premeditated sense of despair.

The percussive conflict that followed was full of agitation and protest; a pyrrhic sense of victory leading into the post strike reality of deflation and depression as ultimately two male dancers scrummaged against each other in a pitiful reminder of once great communal strength.

It ends in questioning manner - a submission or a new beginning?

Triple bill

This fascinating triple bill also included 'The 3 Dancers' inspired by Picasso's masterpiece and Shobana Jeyasingh’s, 'Terra Incognita' which draws on urban legends and ancient cartography to examine the politics and power of the unknown.

Dark Arteries is powerful, thought provoking, absorbing and truly brilliant. It should not be missed.

Malcolm Wood