Celebrating it's final night on tour, the semi-autobiographical contemporary dance performances detailing the relationships of Anglo-Sicilian direction and choreographer Anthony Lo-Giudice and his family, returned home to take to the stage at Newcastle’s own Dance City. Lo-Giudice's work highlighted the intricacies of human movement as a vector for story telling while also providing a medium to strive for the best from the incredible talented cast of dancer how helped bring to life a performance a decade in the making. Exploring themes like belonging, identity, love and heartbreak Roma managed to tackle the many complexities of growing up in a dual heritage environment but feeling, to a degree, displaced and distant from both. Lo-Giudice lay his very soul bare on the stage in a raw and intimate journey of self discovery opening up to the audience in the way he knows best. Dance. Joined by the ever talented Bradley Creswick on violin and Brendan Murphy on a multitude of instruments throughout the show as well as vocals, the musical accompaniment worked to enhance the creative flow of the story.

Utilising both religious and mythological iconography throughout the performance only worked to strengthen the emotions at play across the audience. Reciprocal imagery of the Madonna and her child echoed the familial relationship themes and book ended the show in moments of soul stirring gravitas.

Hearing after the show how the cast all contributed to props by bringing in items of importance in their own life solidified the solidarity and impression of community given of in the show. While the tale being told is that of Lo-Giudice, the semi-autobiographical nature of the plot did not stop the cast from using their own life experiences to contribute to the show and drive the emotions at work further highlighting the fact experiences like feeling out of place in your own country and heartbreak are shared universally.

Roma was a beautifully rich and powerfully emotive work. From music to the choreography, it was a joy to watch master craftsmen (and women) at their best; tackling physically challenging material like a breeze. The future of Lo-Giudice is looking bright and I cant wait to see what more is in store.

Barrah T Al-Badry

@b_badry301