Revel review: Scottish dance piece finds humour and grace in ageing performers

Company Chordelia's production Revel explores a theme familiar to any long-serving dancer: the toll an ageing body takes, and the fear of "making a spectacle of yourself" by performing past the point you should stop. The piece was conceived and staged by artistic director Kally Lloyd-Jones, who performs alongside co-creator Steinvör Palsson, a well-known teacher and choreographer within the Scottish dance community.

A dressing room comes alive

The action unfolds in what appears to be an empty dressing room, until Lloyd-Jones emerges from beneath a discarded puffy dress and Palsson crawls out of a storage crate. A backstage announcement informs them they have just nine hours left to prepare for their performance.

Each dancer warms up in her own way: Palsson moves serenely through a qigong routine, while Lloyd-Jones favours a more vigorous mix of running, lunging and shaking. They then work through a preparation checklist that includes multivitamins, alternate nostril breathing, and an HRT patch.

Memories and comic moments

As the clock winds down, the pair drift into dreamlike recollections of past performances, ranging from Swan Lake to marching gestural sequences, before returning to a crossword accompanied by a banana and chocolate digestive biscuits. Highlights include Palsson's spirited rendition of Whatever Lola Wants while Lloyd-Jones dashes to the bathroom, and a scene in which the two use Barbie dolls to reenact their former dance abilities before smashing them apart.

Despite exaggerated, hunched movements played for comic effect, both performers' dance histories remain visible in their bodies — Lloyd-Jones moves across the stage with clarity, while Palsson balances delicately on her toes. The review notes the pair's strong comic chemistry and finely tuned timing. The show ends with the dancers dressing for one final rehearsal before curtain. Revel continues touring until 23 October.