From the company that brought you the knock-out Peaky Blinders tour, the Rambert dance company are back with their latest production, Death Trap, and I was invited to see it at the Wales Millennium Centre.

I didn’t know what to expect but having seen their Peaky Blinders show, I was excited to see what they had come up with this time. Darkly humours, this piece of contemporary dance explores intense themes of death, grief and life’s turbulences. Shining a torch on the hardships of this world, while using an comically original presentation, leaving the audience in a state of not knowing whether to laugh or to cry. 

The show was split into two performances, both exploring similar themes but from different angles. The first was Cerberus, where the audience is launched into a world where dance is a matter of life or death. Cleverly portrayed by using stage right and stage left as representative of birth and death. We watched beautiful and intense pieces depicting people’s lives as they moved across the stage, and the desperate challenge of trying to bring someone back. 

Something I particularly loved about this first act was the graceful intertwining of greek mythology. They took a story we all know well and combined it with their unique style. 

The second was Goat, a stunningly twisted depiction of sacrifice and morality as we watch a man chosen by fate to dance himself to death. Inspired by the music of Nina Simone, using an on-stage band performing her iconic songs including ‘Feelings’, ‘Feeling Good’ and ‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life’. The use of the seemingly positive, upbeat songs with the combination of such dark themes created a hypnotic performance for the audience. 

You can’t find fault with any of the dancers on the stage. Their talent, energy and passion emanated throughout the performance. Adél Bálint, Aishwarya Taut, Alex Soulliere, Angélique Blasco, Antonello Sangirardi, Cali Hollister, Conor Kerrigan, Dylan Tedaldi, Hannah Hernandez, Jonathan Wade, Max Day, Musa Motha, Naya Lovell, Seren Williams and Simone Damberg-Würtz all deserved their standing ovations. 

This performance isn’t just for the dance enthusiasts, it can be enjoyed by everyone. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll hold you breath, this is a show not to be missed! 

Rambert: Death Trap is at the Wales Millennium Centre until the 9th April until continuing on their tour, so get your tickets now.

You can find out more about what’s going on at the WMC on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

And make sure to check out the official Rambert: Death Trap website, Facebook and Instagram.