Ep 17. Young Men

Young Men is a powerful and emotive contemporary dance performance that explores the experiences of soldiers during World War I. This episode of Great Performances captures a live performance of the show, which was originally created by renowned British choreographer, Akram Khan.

The performance begins with a group of soldiers marching onto the stage, dressed in full military uniform. As they begin to move, it becomes clear that they are not simply marching, but rather, they are performing a highly choreographed sequence of movements that convey the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that soldiers must have felt as they prepared for battle.

As the performance progresses, the dancers move through a series of vignettes that capture different moments of the war. Some dances are hauntingly beautiful, with sweeping movements and evocative music. Others are more frenetic, with dancers leaping and spinning across the stage in a chaotic fashion that reflects the chaos of battle.

Throughout the performance, the dancers use their bodies to tell a powerful story of young men who were called upon to fight for their country and who experienced horrors beyond their imagining. They also draw attention to the ways in which the trauma of war impacts not only those who fight, but also their families and communities.

One particularly striking moment in the performance comes near the end, when a single dancer is left alone on the stage. He performs a solo that is both beautiful and tragic, conveying the isolation and despair that soldiers often felt when they were away from their loved ones and facing unimaginable danger.

Ultimately, Young Men is a stunning performance that combines powerful choreography with emotive music and a deeply affecting storyline. It is a testament to the human experience of war, and a reminder of the sacrifices that so many young men made in order to protect their countries and way of life.

Whether you are a fan of contemporary dance or simply interested in exploring the human experience of war, this episode of Great Performances is not to be missed. It is a moving and impactful tribute to those who fought, suffered, and sacrificed in World War I, and a testament to the art form of dance as a means of expressing the deepest of human emotions.