Reading through the dance program of any of our cities’ arts festivals is always exciting, even when one isn’t going to actually be in that city for its festival. Sometimes, though, the programs are so enticing that the temptation presents itself… will I fly over for this one?
Looking at the 2014 Melbourne Festival program, I am giving it some serious thought. Bearing in mind that I live in Perth, that’s no small travel commitment. So what is it that's got me thinking about heading Melbourne-wards this October?
It's Trisha Brown Dance Company. If you’re not familiar with Brown, take the time to Google her – she was one of the members of the Judson Group, a group of young independent choreographers, named for the rehearsal space they used at the Judson Memorial Church in New York. During the 1960s they were busy making work that changed the way audiences viewed and thought about dance.
In 2011 Brown retired from the company that she founded in 1970 and her company paid tribute to her work by embarking on an international farewell tour presenting a selection of seminal works from throughout her career. Trisha Brown Dance Company’s performances at the Melbourne Festival are taking place as part of this tour. Whilst in Melbourne the company will perform 17 of her works as well as presenting a program of films, talks and workshops.
In addition to Trisha Brown Dance Company there are both international and local works on offer at this year's Melbourne Festival. From Italy comes a collaboration between young Italian artists’ collective Dewey Dell, manga artist Tuichi Yokoyama and artistic director of Japanese theatre company Niwagekidan Penino. The result is an eccentric and fantastical dance work entitled Marzo. Taking its name from the month of March, which, since ancient times, has represented the month of war, Marzo evokes that gamut of human conflicy and emotion. Uncanny and bizarre beings move into an icy landscape amid threatening sounds, playing out their story of good and evil; love and hate; war and peace.
Chunky Move’s artistic director Anouk van Dijk will collaborate with German writer and director Falk Richter to present the word premiere of Complexity of Belonging. A darkly humorous exploration of identity in the age of social media, Complexity of Belonging peers into the lives of nine interconnected individuals – combining five dancers with four young actors - as they grapple with an essential question: how and where do I belong? Nationality, gender, sexuality and history collide in this audacious, theatrical exposé of the daily trials of surviving in a hyperconnected, globalised society.
Shaun Parker’s Am I investigates the meaning of “I” within the context of the modern-day global tribe. Incorporating a rich tapestry of world music, voice, dance, ancient fan and stick weaponry, Am I features fourteen extraordinary musicians and dancers, including international guest artist Shantala Shivalingappa (Pina Bausch, Maurice Bejart and Sidi Larbi Cherakaoui).
Melbourne dance theatre company Kage will present Team of Life, a new work which sees sport, theatre, dance and music meet head on. Performed by professional dancers, actors and rising sports stars, Team of Life honours both the great Australian game and the world game: Aussie Rules and football. This production springs from a groundbreaking methodology, which uses sporting metaphors to help young people overcome hardship. Informed by workshops with young refugees and Indigenous youth, Team of Life tells of their search for different kinds of freedom, dissolving the boundaries between sport, theatre and identity.
Melbourne’s Dancehouse will present the second edition of “Dance Territories”, a biennial event showcasing local and international choreographers. The program features works by Tony Yap and Yumi Umimare, Nicole Mossoux and Patrick Bonte (Compagnie Mossoux-Bonte, Linda Luke and Eleonore Didier.
Melbourne Festival plays 10-26 October. For more information about dates, venues and bookings go to www.melbournefestival.com.au
- Nina Levy