Reviewed by Carol Jones

Cedar Lake, a newly formed exciting New York contemporary ballet company, debuted at the Wales Millennium Centre with three challenging but exhilarating works last Monday. While not well known in the UK, they received a warm reception from the audience after each work and the dancers certainly seemed to be swept up in the sparky and vibrant works.

Indigo Rose by Czech choreographer Jir├¡ Kyli├ín showed off the dancersÔÇÖ skill in a work which changed quickly from fast, sharp movements to fluid, lyrical movements. ┬áThe trio at the beginning was particularly impressive for its timing and well executed choreography. The ending, with the dancers standing with a video on a backdrop of the same dancers, proved a curious but welcome change in dynamics.

10 Duets on a Theme of Rescue by Canadian Crystal Pite proved to be the emotional centre of the evening. With floodlights the dancers moved and dimmed accordingly, a striking presentation of lifts and heartbreak, while maintaining a high level of skill and focus.

The final work, Necessity Again by Jo Str├©mgren, was a stark contrast to the other works. Filled with giant skipping ropes, French songs and a lot of paper being thrown across the stage, this joyous and relaxed work certainly gripped the audienceÔÇÖs attention and brought a dynamic and lively evening to conclusion.