‘Minor Tears’ that all dancers sustain and perform with…

The final image of Slanjayvah Danza’s Minor Tears puts a new spin on the whole piece. A clear trajectory leads up to it. Azzura Ardovini opens with superbly controlled poses that display her grace and power. She’s joined by Ioannis Tsigkris, and the music drives more dynamic sequences of whipped turns, long lunges and pumped kicks before both dancers appear to weaken, deliberately showing the effort of achievement. And then comes the reveal: the strikingly bright bands and curious marks across their bodies are colour codes indicating injuries, the “minor tears” that all dancers sustain and perform with. In sensing the pain behind the performance, your heart hurts too.

Sanjoy Roy – Dance Critic

2017