reviewvancouver: LamonDance-A Winter’s Twist , Ottem

LamonDance
A Winter’s Twist Choreographed by Davi Rodrigues

When & Where December 12 + 13, 2023, 7:30pm | The Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver

Music Philippe Leduc & Maria Bonzanigo, Jean-FrancoisCote & Rene Dupere, Ennio Morricone Additional Music Murray Grant Set and Costume Design Davi Rodrigues Lighting Design Brad Trenaman

Reviewer Nancie Ottem

The Christmas spirit with all its magic was on display at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver with the production of A Winter’s Twist. Full of the magic that delights kids and adults alike, A Winter’s Twist encompasses the many enchanting expressions we love to take in during the holiday season.

First premiered in 2021 at the Blue Shore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, A Winter’s Twist is a great addition to the offerings of the holiday season.The Bard’s Romeo and Juliet is the inspiration for this tale of a young girl whose family does not celebrate Christmas. She is captivated by the warmth and glow of Christmas trees that she views through the windows of her neighbours. Romeo comes along and of course falls in love with her. Both sets of parents, as we know, are against this union and Romeo and Juliet find themselves rescued by The Twisted and taken to a land of white forests and menacing white howling wolves.

The character, The Twisted, (Daryk Richards & Nali Richards) acts as a conduit for the story, interacting with the audience and the characters alike, sprinkling humour and direction as he watches and guides the proceedings. He has quite the colourful persona that adds a lightheartedness to the tale.

In the second act The Twisted rescues Romeo and Juliet from the menacing wolves and takes them to a land of polar bears, snowballs, deadly flowers and a goddess of love. Unfortunately, the parents find their way to this land and in the ensuing fight Romeo falls dead. Juliet takes nectar from the deadly flowers and dies too. Fortunately, The Twisted comes along and with his magic powers brings the lovers back to life. The young ones in the audience breathed a palpable sigh of relief.

All the performers in A Winter’s Twist danced and moved with skill throughout the choreographed routines. Whether dancing a pas de deux or in a grouptheir movements were delivered with confidence and were well timed with the music. A very enjoyable evening was had by all.