Our Mighty Groover, Uchenna Dance
Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, Our Mighty Groove © Rich Lakos
For the second time in as many weeks, Sadler’s Wells has got me in the clubbing spirit.
Well, I say Sadler’s Wells. This time it was her younger sister, Sadler’s Wells East. Just three weeks old, Stratford’s brand new dance theatre has opened its doors to its first audience with Our Mighty Groove by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu and performed by her company Uchenna Dance and young people from East London, demonstrating the new venue’s dedication to its community. Inspired by a revelatory club night of her own, Vicki invites us into Club Groove for a party the whole family can enjoy.
The work was surprisingly narrative. The first half introduced us to the characters of Club Groove, including an influencer (portrayed as a stereotypical selfie taker by Iona Brie), and a long term clubber (Shanelle Clemenson) who get on the wrong side of each other and engage in many a dance battle. Dani Harris-Waters takes the reigns as our intrepid club goer guiding us through the night (alongside a helpful narrator), Angelika Napierała is a charismatic bespectacled character with the highest kick in town (often she reminded me of Lucy Wilde from Despicable Me, such was her great characterisation), and Cache Thake was our gracious and encouraging bouncer. As a narrative work, it felt quite cartoonish, most dancers playing a caricature in some shape or form on top of dancing through the upbeat Uchenna style (African, contemporary, waacking and voguing combined with some hip-hop stunts). When they danced as a group they were a powerful force to be reckoned with, matching the energy of the 70s-style, thrumming disco soundtrack. But as solo performers? I’m surprised and sorry to say that it felt a little lacklustre. I’m no voguing or waacking expert, but in sections performed along a runway I needed more energy, more attitude. It felt a little reserved, as if they were worried about rolling over an ankle in their heels. Needless to say, but the party had yet to find me.
Disappointing.
Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, Our Mighty Groove © Rich Lakos
Luckily, the work really turned a corner in the second half (a relief as we had to wait an extended 40 minute interval to return). Showing off Sadler’s East in all its glory, the seats had been pushed against a wall and we entered from the back of the stage. Only the stage was transformed: we were in Club Groove!
Dancers welcomed us with open arms, grooving on various platforms as we found a spot on the dance floor (or seating areas for those of us with impractically large work bags – note to future attendees, pack light!). All that build up in Act One came into its own in the second half. The dancers, with their backstories established, dance battled and grooved in their cliques, a spotlight light constantly switching between the various dancers before everyone grooved together as one on the central stage. The bouncer got engaged. There was even some light participation as the dancers took us through our paces with Vicki’s answer to the cha-cha-slide. Dance was around us at all angles and boy was it joyous.
Sadler’s Wells East, you have truly set the tone for your ambition as the newest place for dance in town. I for one can’t wait to see what’s next.
★★★★
Our Mighty Groove by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, performed by Uchenna Dance
Sadler’s Wells, London / 7 February 2025
Press ticket
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