Dancing on air

THE Alliance Française in Manchester celebrated July 14 with a special dance show in a unique location.

The Retouramont dancers performed their ‘sculpture dance’ in the atmospheric Victoria Baths, winner of the BBC’s Restoration programme.

They dangled from the ornate ironwork high in the roof of the baths and swung through the empty pool on bungee-style ropes.

All to the music of an accordion player as his notes echoed around the tiled surfaces and stained glass windows of the building.

The Alliance Française used the celebrations of the national day to support the French-based Retouramont as they prepared to take part in a international dance festival in Manchester.

The audience had to catch its breath a couple of times as the performers balanced delicately from the metal struts in the roof, or swung from ropes stretched across the empty pool.

Then the pool itself was used as the dancers bounced from the side into the empty space and back out of the imaginary water, holding their nose for effect.

As the dancers sprang through the air it was as though they were walking on water, and running through space, with a backdrop that only added to the illusion.

To view a selection of photographs from the show, please click here.