A Holding Space Destino 2009 Choreographed By Russell Maliphant and Adam Benjamin
“Maliphant and Benjamin's duet for Demissie and Sendi is sensitively choreographed, a moving response of mature professionals to young dancers at the beginning of their careers. It's a compact piece in which the tall rangy Ethiopians explore a friendship through lifts, balances and supports that establish a bond as strong as that between brothers. Strength, exuberant energy and a rooted connection to the ground, acknowledged by much African dance, inform their physicality, which is captivating to watch, but even more intriguing is how the softer sides of their young masculine identities emerge as they protect and sustain one another.”
Copyright 2009 Josephine Leask http://www.danceinsider.com/f2009/f0402_1.html
Angels of Incidence Scottish Dance Theatre 2007
“An extraordinary example of integrated dance. Darkly lyrical, epic yet intimate, it flows like a disorienting, episodic dream.”
Donald Hutera, THE TIMES
Pure, uplifting beauty in the interactions between dancers, wheelchairs, music and projected imagery, and a true tenderness in the closing duet...... Impressive and moving.
The Herald.
“Proved that beautiful movement comes in many forms.
Before long, the line between disabled and able-bodied dancers was blurred almost beyond recognition, while the closing duet was one of the most tender exchanges seen on stage in a long time.”
The Scotsman
Second Time Broken Remix Dance Project, South Africa (2006)
"The most beautifully crafted work of this impressive season(Johannesburg Dance Umbrella), performed with grace and expertise by Cape Town's Remix Dance Project"
The Tonight
“a work of beauty and sensitivity”
“an emotive state of the art piece”
“a gem”
Cape Times
Taking Care of Small Things Remix Theatre Company, South Africa (2002/3)
"Benjamin subverts the audience's preconception of how the world weaves" "the first, fully realized production of Cape Town based Remix Theatre Company.... resonates with theatricality from the outset"
Limited Choices Adam Benjamin and dancers(2001/2) UK
"Uncomfortable, and yet wonderfully insightful. ........hit the funny bone and the tear duct simultaneously".
The Power of Balance Vertigo Dance Company(2001) Israel
“Complex and sophisticated. More human than many modern dance works.... soul stirring, without sentimentality. Simply, a great work of art. Rarely does a professional critic have to fight back tears because what is presented on stage is so beautiful.”
The Tale That Wags the Dog AandBC Theatre Company (movement direction)
The Scotsman
The Querist's Quire Tshwaragano Dance Company (2001) South Africa
“The subtext of entitlement and empowerment enriches the sound choreographic crafting and layered language. In its artistic choices The Querist's Quire is rooted in South African history and cultural traditions. The participation of the Imilonji KaNtu choir, The Peoples Choir, on tape and in person, extends the themes of liberation, freedom and integration - racial, social and above all, physical....
Solos, duets, trios and ensembles resonate with subtle surprises and revelations studded with risk, reality and resurgent emotion.”
The Star
Table Stories HandiCapace (2000) Germany
‘Simply beautiful’
Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung
‘Something new within the vocabulary of dance as well as within the expressive arts’
Stuttgarter Nachricten
An Egg is Enough Adam Benjamin & dancers, (1999) Belgium
“Ground breaking work. Hilarious, touching and theatrical..... The word sacred came to mind.”
Dans magazine (Holland)
“A fully fledged artistic creation...... intense and exceptionally beautiful”
De Standaard (Belgium)
Seulment Si Tardis Dance Company, (1998) UK
"...one of the most soul-stirring and inspirational pieces of contemporary dance I have ever seen."
Disability Times (England)
Brooding Angels HandiCapace, (1997) Germany
"scenes of virtuosity, of power, beauty and compositional density, ending in overwhelming images of the entire company....... Award winning work that need have no fear of touring after the premier."
Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung
Tales From Home The Besht Tellers (1996) UK (movement direction)
"A triumph of choreography.........."
The Irish World
" ..one of those rare and blessed evenings which actually leave you feeling better about human existence."
The Daily Telegraph
"Simple directness, piercing beauty.."
THE TIMES
“It takes some skill to produce a show that will captivate kids and adults alike with its simple wisdom and intangible magic. Each story is told in accessible language, with knowing physical references. Physically innovative (with movement choreographed by CandoCo founder Adam Benjamin)”
What's On
Flying in the Face of.... CandoCo (1992) UK
"One of the very best dance works I have seen in the last year"
Ballett International
Christy Dont Leave So Soon CandoCo (1992) UK
“beautiful and imperious..... touching but unsentimental”
The Independent Weekend
Responses to choreography for non professional groups:
The Full Morris Equilibrium. Bristol Streetfest 1998
"The best piece of street theatre I've seen in years"
Dave Reeves. Director ZAP Productions
Circling the Square Glos integrated Youth Dance Co, 1996
"A magnificent performance..the audience reaction was quite overwhelming."
Director. Roses Theatre,Tewksbury
Velcro Gloucester Integrated Youth Dance Company 1995
Metalmorphic CDW Cheshire, 1994
"On many levels, the best piece of community dance I have ever seen"
Yakov Slivkin.
Human Race YDA Leeds 1992
"A Masterpiece"
Nadine Senior, Director, Northern School of Contemporary Dance.
