With domestic violence leading the headlines due to a rise during the World Cup, people become desensitised to the headlines. One Yorkshire dance project led by Zoobin Surty and assistant choreographer and rehearsal director, Xiaoyi Tong has highlighted the complex nature of this harrowing crime.
Our community reporter reports…
“Diminished,” a domestic violence dance project, was staged at Yorkshire Dance Centre on a Friday evening in June 2024.
The artistic director, Zoobin Surty, presented this powerful piece, which emerged from interviews and personal experiences dealing with domestic violence. He demonstrated that with the right musicians and sounds, dance can profoundly convey the emotions associated with such sensitive topics.
As the show progressed, a palpable tension built slowly, reflecting Surty’s creative vision and choreographic skill.
The dance deconstructed human emotions related to violence, presenting segments of shock, fear, confrontation, empathy, and a complex blend of these feelings.
The opening segment featured dancers intertwined on the ground, their limbs and faces indistinguishable from one another. They moved slowly, creating a connection with the audience through a silent, yet expressive, tension.
This interaction, though wordless, conveyed powerful emotional messages, transforming the studio space into an intense, evocative atmosphere. During the performances, a clear sense of oppression and intensity permeated the atmosphere.
The choreographer, Zoobin Surty, emphasised that domestic violence often begins in seemingly harmonious relationships. The piece included poignant duets that highlighted LGBTQ+ inclusivity, offering brief glimpses of healthy relationships that contrasted starkly with the theme of violence. This contrast encouraged the audience to reflect on the causes of violence and the dynamics within relationships. The choreography built up the energy to a peak, particularly in the finale, which embodied the victim’s anger and frustration.
The dancers alternated between the roles of victims and abusers, allowing the audience to feel the intense emotions of frustration, desperation, and anger through their movements. The final scene, with its rhythmic breathing and intense movements, resonated deeply with the audience, prompting them to revisit personal traumatic stories.
At the end of the performance, Zoobin lightened the mood by leading the audience in breathing exercises and humorous spine-touching interactions, providing a welcome relief. Musician, Luke incorporated the sitar, tabla, and other instruments, adding an Indian touch to the piece, as advised bySurty.
The dancers ( Silas, Arianne, Jacob & Tong) performed brilliantly, both technically and emotionally, taking the audience to a dark place but also reminding them that these issues are real and present. In an interview following the show, Zoobin acknowledged the vital contributions of assistant choreographer and rehearsal director, Xiaoyi Tong. He highlighted Tong’s intense, deep, and honest work in bringing the polished version of the research project, DIMINISHED, to life. Tong worked meticulously with both the dancers and musicians to realise Surty’s vision.
Under Surty’s guidance, Tong demonstrated remarkable choreography skills, creating meaningful and articulate phrases that were technically strong and passionately executed. Surty emphasized that Tong has been the heart and soul of the project, showcasing her incredible talent not only as a performer and engager but also as a creative force and assistant choreographer. Tong’s efforts ensured that the project was presented professionally and with clarity. Surty concluded by stating that DIMINISHED would not have been possible without Tong’s indispensable contributions.
Reflecting on the audience’s reactions and interactions during the performance, many commented that they had never seen anything like it before. They were surprised and moved by the transformation of the topic of domestic violence into a powerful dance project. Key partners in making this project possible included the West Yorkshire Police, the Shantona Organisation, and Yorkshire Dance. Produced by Amber Zamora. Community engagement director, Nirdesh Jandu.
