Constant change in dance ‘life library’ of 23 volumes

Autobiography - Company Wayne McGregor (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh) Verdict: A life story – of sorts NO two shows are the same, so expect something unique when you witness a performance of Autobiography by the Royal Ballet’s resident choreographer Wayne McGregor.

Working with ten dancers to produce choreography from old memories, he has generated a ‘life library’ of 23 volumes – the same number as the pairs of chromosomes that contain the human genome.

Each performance uses different parts of the 23 volumes but has a fixed beginning and ending. Volume 1 is entitled Avatar and Volume 23 Choosing, and between these everything changes.

As Autobiography dramaturg Uzma hameed put it: ‘The computer randomly selects a different section of code from his genome to determine which material the audience will see, performed by which dancers and in what order.

‘The system dictates that no individual sequence or code may be used more than once, so no two performances can ever be alike.’

But the ten dancers did not seem confused or hesitant on the first night. i watched a company at one with each other and themselves in interactive movement during which the standard never flagged.

Worthy of mention also are the uber-dramatic lighting designed by Lucy Carter, and the strikingly minimalist set by Ben Cullen Williams. The music, by American artist Jlin, was poundingly rhythmic and extremely loud. An acquired taste, i would say.

in the end, i suppose, Autobiography is all about McGregor, so it is a life story – of sorts.