REVIEW: FRAY at Sadler’s Wells, Lilian Baylis Studio 21 & 22 June 2024

‘Extraordinarily expressive hip hop dancers put their own spin on a story about AI’ ★★★★

These phenomenal hip hop dancers, have an extraordinary ability to tell the story through movement alone. The show is further elevated through dialogue, rap and brilliant animation. The story focuses on two brothers, Tullio and Ziya, who are creating a puzzle for a competition. Whilst one brother gets involved with a dance crew, which adds the love interests, the other brother gets obsessed with the game. His failure to complete it results in him seeking the help of AI, the only problem being that the competition prohibits the use of artificial intelligence. 

The story gives an opportunity to showcase some outstanding talent, including the animator, and the dancers.  The brother’s mathematician father stole the show with his physicality and his quiet but masterful presence. As the dorky dude, who doesn’t quite know how to relate to people, including his own sons, his characterisation is spot on. Heartbreakingly, he’s clearly the person to help his son create his puzzle but he ignores his father’s offer. This strand of the story is particularly effecting.

The projection on the massive film screen is used for the brilliant animation. The father works here on his numbers, and the brother works here on his new puzzle. The AI is personified as a humanoid robot baddie.  The animator has used a living person on which to generate the figure with personality. Its smiling face is mildly camp, and it learns new dance moves which confound the brothers with its brilliance. 

Other characters include the mother whose duets with the father offer moments of contrast with the other dancers in the show.  There is also a social media influencer who looks the part and has the potential to be a knockout character, but on the night, she doesn’t quite pull it off.  She just isn’t attention grabbing enough to be completely believable in the role.

The show is hugely entertaining, with incredible duets, solos and ensemble work, which create outstanding visual images whilst the fluidity, stamina, strength and control is truly impressive. It’s jaw dropping stuff.  However, there is a tiny criticism about the story which lamely fizzles out, with an abrupt ending, leaving audiences unsure of whether it’s over.  What is the show really about? Is it purely a vehicle for the dancing or is there a moral to the tale?  Something about family dynamics perhaps, or the fear that AI could be destructive to human creativity, or that cheating is never a great thing? The show just needs something to give more depth and allow audiences to experience a satisfying conclusion. 

The expressive dancers are easily capable, so next time it comes around, be sure book early.  In the meantime, gamers and dance fans might like to know that it is possible to get  FRAY Game, a real-life, playable video game launched on STEAM on June 15th. Players navigate Tullio and Ziya's journey, engaging in dance battles and solving puzzles.

CandyBomber Productions & Jonzi D present

FRAY at Sadler’s Wells, Lilian Baylis Studio

21 and 22 June 2024

Writer/Executive Producer/Director: Kate Duhamel (award-winning CandyBomber Productions)

Artistic Director: Jonzi D (Olivier Award nominee, founder of Breakin’ Convention)

Music Supervision: Micall Parknsn (acclaimed hip hop artist and producer)

Musical Contributions: Soweto Kinch (award-winning British Jazz saxophonist, composer, broadcaster)

Choreography: Ola Papiór (credits include Rihanna, Alexandra Burke, X Factor)

Cast Highlights:

Tullio: Kieran Lai (Britain's Got Talent, West End’s & Juliet)

Ziya: Kailon Chéry (Raye, Aitch, BirdGang LTD)

Ensemble: Emma Houston, aka ‘Shortbread’ (finalist at Red Bull BC One UK Cypher, ZooNation, Boy Blue), Sean Edwards (George Michael, STOMP, Punchdrunk, Secret Cinema), Fi Silverthorn ((FKA Twigs, DJ Snake & Ellie Goulding, BirdGang LTD), Kelsey Miller (Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, Little Mix, Giggs, Chase & Status, Raye, Boy Blue) and George Fairbrother (BBC headliner stage at Leeds festival, JD sports, Puma) and Jane Sekonya-John (Disney’s The Lion King, Aeroplane Man).

Origins and Acclaim:

Conceived by Kate Duhamel, the creator of the acclaimed show FURY, FRAY debuted in San Francisco in 2022 and premiered in the UK at Wilton’s Music Hall to critical acclaim.