Nederlands Dans Theater 2 at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

4/5

“We don’t do strong narrative works, generally the pieces are emotional journeys or reflections,” explains Nederlands Dans Theater’s artistic director Paul Lightfoot.

It’s as accurate a review as you’ll receive of the junior company’s latest mixed programme, which showcases the extraordinary mixed talents of its 18-23 year old dancers.

Across five pieces of work they demonstrate balletic spins that are so technically demanding they require three dancers to perform one role (Solo, choreographed by Hans van Manen) and twitching contortions that act as musical punctuations (Mutual Comfort, Edward Clug).

If these two pieces display the company’s technical skills then Schubert and Sad Case (both) tap into a more impressionistically emotional mood.

The former is a pas de deux that tells a balletic love story, Katarina van den Wouwer being innocently doll-like in the sharp yet graceful angles she forms.

The tenderness of the piece contrasts with the high energy Sad Case. Set to mambo music it’s a playful yet satirical piece that explores sexual relationships. Featuring wolf whistles, swinging hips and Spanish dialogue the movements of the five key dancers are at once earthy and self-aware.

Many of the same adjectives could be applied to Cacti (Alexander Ekman) pictured, which challenges “the audience to reflect on the way in which art is perceived.”

It achieves this through the use of ivory pedestals that first form the mats for Tai-Chi style movements, and which are later rearranged to form Barbara Hepworth inspired sculptures. It also features voice-overs that are part-pretentious art critic and part instruction (“put your head here”).

And with elements that could almost be taken from a post-modern film, it lives up to its title by having choreography that’s sharp yet tough.

Touring until May 20 2016.