U.S. Ballet Showman

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 11

U.S. Ballet Showman

Alwin Nikolais, the great nonconformist and great showman of American modem dance, has achieved the impossible—abstract dance. Previous attempts at abstraction in dance have been foiled by the non-abstract and very human nature of the dancers themselves, “The Times" reported. On occasion Nikolais has changed the dancers by enclosing them in totally enveloping abstract costumes so that they become simply moving choreographic shapes. In a recent full-evening work, "Galaxy,” Nikolais used dancers as dancers, but to startling theatrical effect. Doing all himself in a way Wagner would have approved choreography, imaginative electronic score, designs and lighting—he dazzled the audience with his showmanship, craftsmanship and bouncing creative energy. The tricks were simple. Four dancers twisted sheets of perspex in a beam of light and spectrum upon spectrum of colour gave their dancing an irridescent sheen.