Wayne McGregor’s name and influence is all over this triple bill but tonight McGregor has handed over choreographic duties to three young upstarts following in his footsteps: Alexander Whitley, Random company member Paolo Mangiola and Royal Ballet choreographic apprentice Robert Binet. Are they the future faces of contemporary choreography? Well, maybe.
The most interesting use of the body comes from Mangiola in his Alpha Episodes, although it helps that he’s got the most interesting body to work with, the Royal Ballet’s Edward Watson (guesting here with colleagues Eric Underwood and Paul Kay). The contradictions of masculinity are on show, as one minute Watson’s shape-shifting shoulders bulk up like Atlas, the next his long leg sweeps into an elegant arabesque. It’s as much of a showpiece for these statuesque bodies as any classical solo.
The other two pieces are more familiar, featuring the sort of virtuoso physical fretting we’re used to seeing with McGregor. Whitley’s Hertz adds interest and texture using lighting and scrims, while Binet’s Life’s Witness is ambitious but could use some finesse and focus — but the boy’s only 21 so we’ll cut him some slack. We’ll be seeing more from all of them, no doubt.
Until Saturday (020 7304 400, roh.org.uk)