Dance in the Dark, an interactive dance and music show by Sonrisa Arts for ages three to six (and their grown-ups), shows at Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), kicking off the February Half Term. The show - which has no talking from start to finish - has a theme which will be familiar to many a parent: the bedtime routine. 

Everyone is invited to the sleepover den - a cozy, tent-like construction that will be the stuff of dreams to anyone who remembers reading under the covers with a torch in hand. Youngsters are welcome to wear their PJs - and the children in the audience who had done so were clearly over the moon at the novelty. Seating is provided, in the form of pillows and fleece blankets around the edges of the den - although there are a handful of chairs for anyone who can’t sit on the floor. The audience, of every age, must slip off their shoes before entering the den, which definitely adds to the sleepover theme. 

There are three performers in the production - two mischievous dancers, and one guitarist, who is definitely the ‘grown-up’ figure. The story takes steps through familiar bedtime activities from rhythmic tooth-brushing, a bedtime story, and finally getting into bed. However, there’s a gently anarchic flavour as the ‘children’ find themselves distracted by strange noises outside the den, and their imaginations run wild. They enjoy the sounds and sensations of the weather (via wafting fans and a misty spray bottle) and experiment with shadow puppetry on the fabric of the den. 

At various points during the show, young audience members are invited to join in - whether using props to have a go at tooth-brushing actions, or joining the performers in the middle, to play with shadow puppets. It’s quite a feat to guide the audience through the story (which takes around 50 minutes) without using any words. 

The show is well-suited to the suggested age range - the children in the audience were transfixed by the dancing, and were definitely keen to get involved when invited, knowing that their accompanying grown-ups weren’t far away. It wasn’t always clear when children were invited to join the performers, and when parents should encourage them to sit and watch, but the kids had a great time, and were clearly fully immersed and invested in the story. 

The show is packed with sensory delights, engaging movement, and immersive design that creates a cozy haven away from the drizzle - more than a few audience members left the den singing along.

Dance in the Dark was reviewed on Saturday 15 February at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), where it shows until Monday 17 February, before embarking on tour.