Double Booking
Lewys Holt and Eleanor Sikorski
Lowry, Daniel Nicholas, Yorkshire Dance
Lowry, Salford
November 12, 13, 2026; 60 mins
A familiar scene: the conductor arrives, bows to the audience and raises his baton to begin the music. The majority of audience members are treated to a view of his back, while we sit back and enjoy the music. Or maybe not, as the case might be.
Double Booking is different. There are two conductors to one orchestra. Neither conductor expects the other’s presence. This is a challenge. What will we, the audience experience? The conductor, as always, is in charge, so how will they resolve things: rivalry, or cooperation?
If we’re familiar with some of the stories about the personal and professional traits of successful conductors, perhaps we might guess we can rule out any degree of cooperation...
Initially, a professional demeanour is maintained as the two maestri preserve their confident image and assert their right to their role. Then directions change - never predictably - and audience curiosity is sustained.
The show isn't just dance, though dance is at its heart; it's a variety of art forms, including dialogue, occasionally breaking through the fourth wall. Original music is by Lewys Holt, though Mahler has a go too.
This is the first choreographic collaboration between experienced dancers Lewys Holt and Eleanor Sikorski, who have worked together since 2019 when they co-founded Roadhouse, a regular Leeds-based performance night of improvised dance. They bring extensive experience to the roles, and the performance relies heavily on their ability to work together, with an appearance of improvisation probably fed by many hours of precise rehearsals building on an intuitive understanding of each another.
The dance moves are complex, with little repetition, and serve as a means of communication rather than as an expression of physical ability. The moves, aided by some dialogue, convey uncertainty, individual determination to stand one's ground, and a pride in artistic expression, allowing the audience to see the inner feelings as well as outward performance.
It's a very unusual piece; intriguing, making excellent use of the Lowry's Aldridge Studio. And while I didn’t develop any emotional engagement with the "conductors", perhaps that was the point.
The piece excites curiosity through both the initial concept and the storytelling. The opening night audience was certainly appreciative.
Double Booking has been developed within the Lowry’s extensive artist development programme - the institution has become something of a dance hive, showcasing productions from across the world as well as fostering local and national talent.
One hour shows are excellent as festival material, but I wonder if they could be combined with other short performances or maybe a talk, to encourage audiences to make the journey.
More info and tickets here
