Resolution Festival Review – SAT 8 FEB 2025

by Sumi Xiaomei Cheng

The Place, London.

DanceLab Collective Letting The Light In

Lily Armah Fashion Sense

Maria Sole Montacci Soledad

Last night’s triple-bill is set in the round. The trio Pam Woods, Kerry Chappell and Lizzie Swinford pick us up on a journey of losing a dear family member through speech and dance. Moments like Swinford playing with grandma’s knickers, and more British cultural references—knickers, jumpers, and the weather—lighten up the serious subject. The lighting design, with its cracked spotlight, mirrors the emotional journey, shifting from despair to joy. By the end, Letting the Light In felt unexpectedly uplifting, a reminder to cherish loved ones while they’re alive. Thought-provoking, DanceLab Collective shows a beautifully crafted performance for the immersed stage.

MariaSole Montacci’s Soledad is an exploration of connection and how we express and understand spoken language. I saw Soledad at the Laban Theatre on a traditional stage (proscenium stage)—where the audience views the spectacle from a single direction. That was a fantastic show; my expectations last night were high. Riccardo Miltierno’s live music—beatboxing, harmonica, and bass—is eclectic entertainment, enhanced by Irene Fiordilino’s colourful lighting. However, the choreography and staging are not fully adapted for the theatre in the round: I can only see the dance when Montacci moves on my side. The mesmerizing impact Soledad made at the Laban Theatre is sadly lost. I love the idea of seeing Montacci’s performance in the round, however, the staging needs development for this type of audience-enclosed stage.

Fashion Sense reimagines a fashion show, perfectly timed with New York Fashion Week. The labels dancer and model are used interchangeably for the cast: Lily Armah, Andrea Louca, Mercedes Prevatt, Lisa Robinson and Kato Thomas each embody a unique character in stunning haute couture costumes by Evegniia Galeeva, GU:ZI, Matilda Allen, Melissa Tida, and Momoyo Wada. Each dancer radiates individuality while Armah’s choreography incorporates dancing in perfect synchronicity, creating a dynamic showcase for the bold, vibrant costumes. Though the staging is still frontal centred, it feels immersive even from the sides. You sense the decisive steps and stomps of the model/dancers. This is how to present fashion!

Resolution Festival 2025 at The Place – London Contemporary Dance School. The original review on this page (and its companion reviews) can be found at: https://theplace.org.uk/blogs-stories/sat-8-feb-2