James Cousins Company, Lakeside Theatre Nottingham, 30 September 2014

The last dance performance I saw was Rambert doing "Rooster", a hugely entertaining and fun series of dances choreographed to several classic, early Rolling Stones numbers.

You couldn't accuse James Cousins of creating 'fun' pieces in either "Without Stars" or "There we have been", the first and second performances on this programme, which is inspired by the characters and events in Haruki Murakami's novel 'Norwegian Wood'. But both were utterly compelling.

"Without Stars" features 3 male dancers (Gareth Mole, Georges Hann, Albert Garcia) and one female dancer (Chihiro Kawasaki), moving and interacting in a sequence of scenes of violence, tenderness, loss... The music, lighting, and the movement and incredible control of the dancers pull you in to a world of intense feelings, ultimately unresolved after a spellbinding, exhilarating 45 minutes.

Georges Hann didn't have a lot to do in the first dance. But after the interval it was obvious why.

"There we have been" began with Kawasaki floating above the stage and it was soon clear that was Hann supporting her; her feet literally did not touch the ground for the 17 minutes performance. If 'Without Stars' was spellbinding this was spectacular.

Firstly it is rare (unique?) to see two dancers interacting so closely for such a long period. Secondly who would think it possible to see so much movement in such a confined space (i.e. the footprint of one body, not that Hann didn't move across the floor as well)? Thirdly the display of strength, of both dancers, to keep this up over a sustained period, something I have not seen trained acrobats display. But these factors were just the foundation for a piece of astonishing choreography: drama and grace in equal measure, with lighting and music contributing to a truly beautiful piece of art. With beautiful, talented dancers to boot.

To see this was a wonderful, must-repeat, experience. Contemporary dance doesn't have to be fun to be fabulous!