A narrow beam cut through darkness before the first movement unfolded in silhouette. Dance Me by Ballets Jazz Montréal at Sadler’s Wells in February 2023 translated the music of Leonard Cohen into contemporary choreography, combining stark lighting with fluid ensemble work. The staging was minimal but deliberate, allowing the dancers’ lines to define the frame.

Photographing the performance meant anticipating lift and extension within tightly controlled light. As a UK dance photographer, I focused on timing at the peak of movement, balancing wide compositions that showed formation with tighter studies of expression and body line.

The production carried a measured intensity, driven by precision, rhythm and the interplay between shadow and motion.