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The performance, 3 Dancers, 4 chairs, 26 words by the Aynsley Vandenbroucke Movement Group was to me a sweet, contemplative exploration of two themes: grieving and semiotics. In the first moments of the piece, a sign informs us that this is a prologue. A woman places a series of written words on the stage. these words have an ominous message. Things are amiss; a man, woman, or child has died. The narrative device of a prologue gives the audience license to read a story into what follows, no matter how cyclical or atmospheric that story may be.

Throughout the body of the piece, 26 words are repeated and three dancers move with and around four chairs. One chair stands alone and unmoved, reminding us of the dead man-woman-child. The dancers play games around a series of words, sometimes playfully exploring different meanings of these words, sometimes lamenting their lack of meaning. The word touch is spoken. The dancers reach but never touch. They comically immitate male stereotypes. One tells an absent listener about her discomfort using the word "dance" to discribe what she does. All the while the empty chair sits, austere and awkward next to the games of the three beautiful dancers. As a comment on the shortcomings of language, I'd call this piece a success.

lillian harden www.lillianharden.com