REVIEW | Fray, Wilton’s Music Hall

25 Jul

`Jamai Robinson and Elijah Smith in Fray at Wilton’s Music Hall, London. Photo: Paul Hampartsoumian`

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Bronagh

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

Dance never fails to amaze me – probably because I have two left feet. Watching Fray was no different; dancing into Wiltons Music Hall for two more nights, it is a show not to be missed if you are a lover of all things dance, hip hop and storytelling. Fray is the story of two brothers, Tullio and Ziya, who are extremely close, ‘one half of a whole’. Their shared world revolves around dancing, adventure, and video games. Their bond starts to unravel; real life is not a game, and real-life experiences start to draw the brothers apart.

The dancing in Fray is incredible, with a stellar crew of cast and creatives. Sisco Gomez is the main choreographer, and with a professional career like his, it’s clear why this is a hit – from dancing with Madonna, One Direction and Sir Tom Jones to name a few, to judging on TV shows. Elijah Smith and Jamai Robinson play Tullio and Ziya, both extraordinary at telling the story of the brothers through dance. The rest of the cast are also incredibly talented, contributing to the story of Tullio and Ziya and playing their own parts. Much of the show was group dancing, with the solo scenes stunning and extremely impressive.

The lighting and visuals are stunning; showcasing the city skyline, a school and Manny’s garage, where lots of dancing takes place. We also have some of the script projected, as well as messages between Tullio and ‘Prod Mgr’. The combination of dance, visuals and also the music was spectacular. There is a lot going on, but it all flows so well and it is easy to follow, undoubtedly due to the quality of the performers and creatives.

It is no coincidence that Tullio and Ziya love video games; as well as a past time of many teenagers, there is also a ‘Fray’ game that audience members are encouraged to download before the show so that they can step into the world of Tullio and Ziya. I didn’t download this myself so cannot comment, but I’m sure it is good fun if the show is anything to go by. There is a live introduction by Fusion, a hip-hop host. Audience members are also encouraged to meet with the cast and crew after the show and to give their opinions on the show, which I believe were being recorded. This adds a community effect and potentially a unique networking opportunity.

From the dancing to the video game concept to the relatability of bonds being very nearly severed; Fray is a world-class, dazzling production which is absolutely worth a visit.