Last Friday and Saturday saw Central Hall transformed into an exhibition of the exciting, electric and pretty eccentric, as Fusion showcased the diverse and professional talent that our glorious University has to offer. The show does exactly what it says on the tin, it is truly; a ‘fusion’ of the Arts.
However despite this, Telling Tales was my first Fusion experience and I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I was told it was a mixture of the glamour of the catwalk and the energy of theatrical dance, this did not initially whet my appetite, but I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that it was indeed better than I had anticipated. There is definitely a deep pool of talented people in our many Art societies. This year Fusion stuck close to the theme of ‘Telling Tales’, exploring Fairy Tales in a modern way, think Angela Carter’s Bloody Chamber, but on stage and with less blood. A theme that, in the words of one of the dancers, “enabled the choreographers to enjoy a freedom of expression perhaps not seen previously.” Being introduced to Little Red riding hood, Rapunzel and Snow White from a modern perspective was quite an eye opener.
However, I think I would have to agree with third year Ben Scott, who wittily remarked, “Peter Pan was, without a shadow of a doubt, the best!” In all, a combination of tangible enthusiasm, visible hard work and a heck of a lot of enjoyment made this year’s Fusion more than just your average dance/fashion spectacle, but rather a night of entertainment far superior to that of an average Friday in York!