Helios Dance Theatre at Royce Hall

Presented by UCLA Live, the stunning, incomparable and indescribable “Beautiful Monsters” invaded the wonderful Royce Hall on UCLA’s campus recently, and the night was a glorious, mysterious dance of eerie and sweet joy. Brought to life by L.A.’s own Helios Dance Theater, this piece features visual design by acclaimed animator and director Chris Miller and an original score by praised composer Paul Cantelon (The Diving Bell and The Butterfly). The result was, indeed, beautiful.

A song and dance suite about a group of vampires living in the forest, capturing and seducing a beautiful princess-like waif for their own, the frenetic ballet was simply stunning. Filled with jaw dropping set pieces and soul-stirring music, this was an event not to be missed. And not many did, judging by the packed house.

It’s not easy to review a ballet, as words cannot really do justice to the ethereal movement and visual feast, the soul-stirring sounds and feelings. Suffice it to say, if you hear of the Helios Dance Theatre doing anything near you, run to check them out.