Michael Seaver

Block Party

Dance Theatre of Ireland

There were lots of toys at the Block Party and unfortunately the invited guests weren't allowed to play. A shame, because the performers looked like they were having such fun. Robbie Harris directed fellow percussionists with wide eyes, grins and approving nods, while six dancers spilled in and out of structures they had created with giant spongy blocks.

The blocks were the real stars - bright rectangles, circles and triangles that transformed into couches, houses and anything else you chose to take from abstract piles. Choreographic material was suitably restrained to joyous leaps, sprints and occasional personal dance licks, as play took over. There was a certain lack of spontaneity, and although some amount of pre-planning was necessary, things seemed staged rather than improvised or even fake-improvised. A small quibble because, like the children's equivalent, these blocks have limitless possibilities.

Dublin Fringe Festival