With Black Diamond, Tim Rushton returns to a more conceptual and futuristic universe, where focus has been set on graphic aesthetics, scenes and geometrical forms. Black Diamond is a new creation by Tim Rushton, made for Danish Dance Theatre’s 16 international dancers. To the sounds of the violinist Alexander Balanescu, the beat king Trentemøller and the classic composer Philip Glass, small pockets of sound are created — from fragmented and noisy to tempo-filled electronic beats to lyrical and romantic tracks.
The first act of Black Diamond consists of a massive diamond shaped background – black and uneven. Destruction rules here and the scenography gives thought to a harsh landscape of aggressive volcanoes, black ash and rock walls. Dressed in futuristic black coats and geometrical garb, Rushton creates a futuristic tale about the inherent duality of everything, where both the shadowy and the light side of man are explored psychologically, scenographically and thematically.
In the second act, the background changes from inky black to shining silver as the structure remains unchanged. In an organic and flowing idiom, hope is making its way out of the darkness. The dancers float across the stage in gauzy, balloon-formed creations, while small cracks of darkness try to break through the light.
Just as the music promises contrasting worlds, we also meet: the goddess of fate in an extravagant design construction, where she spins the thread of life, militaristic men in somber coats, faceless and pure bodies plus a petrified man in a skin colored costume of crystal.
