Review: Emergence Dance 2025 at Waterside Arts

“…a stunning performance full of emotion, energy and poise.”

Emergence Dance 2025, Waterside Arts

By Claire Walmsley

I went to watch Emergence at Sale Waterside Arts Centre. The Robert Bolt Theatre is an intimate venue and one of my favourites. Being so close to the performers always brings a special kind of experience.

The performance was split into three pieces – each one with a unique theme. 

The first, Chimera, was a representation of the impossible Greek mythical creature. The twenty dancers all had a distinct style but moved together as one – exploring the dynamic of individuality within a collective. The result was a beautifully chaotic performance that really embodied ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. I alternated between watching individual dancers and sweeping my eyes across the whole ensemble. Each dancer was exquisite but the performance as a whole was breathtaking. The choreography was influenced by the dancers themselves and it was impressively woven together. 

After a short break and a costume change, the second piece began. 153 8s was a celebration of beat – four songs with 153 counts of eight. Each piece had a strong, distinct rhythm and intense bass that you could feel in your chest. Whilst not my usual style of music, I thoroughly enjoyed the synchronicity of the dancing. It was slick, precise and sharp. This high energy piece was a stark contrast to the first piece, really showcasing the dancers’ range. 

There was a longer break of twenty minutes before the last piece. Euphoria was much longer performance (of 38 minutes compared to 15 minutes of the previous two) and was an exploration of the internal battle between the id, ego and superego. This emotional piece really showcased the struggle of not feeling like you can show your true self. The performance was a mix of full cast performances, smaller groups and solos. There was a particularly touching section between a male and female dancer that really resonated with me. The piece had strong storytelling and passion that was maintained throughout the whole performance. 

The costumes were subtle but perfectly fitting for each performance. Much like the dancers themselves, they were similar but distinct. The lightning was cleverly used throughout, casting shadows and pools of light that added depth to the performances. 

Throughout the entire show, the energy from each and every dancer remained high and they maintained poise and expert timing. Everything from their fingertips to their facial expressions were performed with the utmost conviction.

I’m no expert in dance, so I really appreciated the printed running order that detailed each dance’s theme and story. Whilst it would have been an enjoyable performance without it, understanding what each dance was representing added a new depth to my enjoyment that might have been missing as a novice. 

It was a beautiful introduction into the world of contemporary dance and I am so pleased I got to experience the moving and powerful performance. It’s opened my eyes to other shows in the future I might have dismissed. 

Overall, a stunning performance full of emotion, energy and poise.

Emergence Dance 2025 plays at Waterside Arts on Thursday 22 May.

Claire Walmsley is a children’s author who pays the bills by teaching computer science to primary school pupils in Manchester. When she’s not writing, reading or fixing all the broken laptops at work, she likes to run and hike. As a long-term sufferer of Crohn’s Disease, she is always trying to inspire the next generation of chronic illness sufferers. You can find her first picture book here. Or follow Claire Walmsley – Children’s Author on all the socials.