Review: Rambert Dance Company @ Sadlers Wells

Frantic crayola coloured "Scribbling" as cockroaches scuttle away under a huge lamp, Saint-Saëns’ wonderful score for "Carnival of the Animals" given a new lease of life by Siobhan Davies, done out in white tuxedoes (spot the beasts!) followed by the entire company dressed as the Queen prior to stripping off their royal garb and throwing themselves off a cliff in "Anatomica #3". All this with the 'mood and dynamics' sign language interpreted at the side of the stage by an astonishingly good performer. Oh, and live music from London Musici. This is possibly the best Rambert programme we've ever seen.

Rambert visit Sadlers Wells twice a year and in recent years it could be said that some of their mixed bills have been decidedly mixed. Fears that the Company have gone off the boil though were scotched last night as their awesome agility, precision, dynamism and artistry was delivered with humour and passion and rapturously received.

This is a totally accessible show of the highest quality contemporary dance that builds throughout its three parts. By curtain call many of the audience were on their feet with a deserved whooping and whistling resounding through the auditorium. Rambert are a world class company with incredibly talented dancers. If you've never been to the Wells or never seen them at work, now is the time to go. And if you can catch tonight's signed performance, so much the better for you.

For more information and to catch a tantalising clip of Anatomica visit Sadlers Wells website here.

Rambert Dance Company are performing at Sadlers Wells Theatre until Saturday 24 May. Show starts 7.30pm. Tickets priced £8-£38. Find out more about Rambert Dance Company here.

Image of the swan in Carnival of the Animals by Hugo Glendinning, courtesy of Rambert Dance Company