Words: Caitlin Finnerty

4 stars

Tucked beneath the gothic arches of the Assembly Rooms, Imago is a darkly hypnotic aerial-dance duet that explores the push and pull between intimacy and independence. It draws you into the emotional turbulence between connection and release. Directed by former Cirque du Soleil artists, the piece opens with two dancers tethered by rope, their movements slow and heavy, like bodies caught in underwater currents. As the performance unfolds, their choreography shifts from grounded intimacy to powerful suspension, using ropes to swing, fall, and cling with haunting precision.

The dim, smoky stage and layered oceanic soundscapes create the feeling of being lost at sea; adrift, disoriented, and desperate to hold on. Though the pace is occasionally awkward, the physical trust between the dancers is remarkable. When both take to the air, it’s impossible to look away.

While Imago may not break new ground choreographically, occasionally relying on familiar motifs, it’s a visually stunning, emotionally resonant piece with strong technical execution and atmospheric depth. A dreamlike dive into chaos, strength, and human connection.

Imago
Central at Assembly Roxy
13:00, 40 mins
4-24th Aug