Victorian College of the Arts: "Graduate Dance Season" -
Space 28, 8 November 8 -
VCA’s “Graduate Dance Season” featured new and extant work by contemporary choreographers Larissa McGowan, Lina Limosani, Ben Hancock and Prue Lang, in four very different, yet equally enjoyable, ensemble pieces.
Lang’s Timeshift opened the program. It begins with two dancers softly lit, swaying to the sounds of water trickling. The lighting is so dark that it’s hard to see the dancers, but as the light lifts we are treated to a wonderful piece with clear and distinct sections, peppered with music ranging from police sirens to techno. The dancers move with precision and impeccable timing, blowing on each other to precipitate movement. They move seamlessly between various styles of dance, including a delightful bit of jive.
One’s Wicked Ways was the highlight of the show. Choreographed by Lina Limosani and the dancers, it is a wickedly funny and slightly disturbing piece where physical theatre and costume play a big part. The dancers are dressed in baroque wigs and makeup. With ropes as props, they torment each other, laughing uproariously as they dance around and attempt to strangle and hang one another. The lengthy section where the dancers use the rope as a pas de deux partner is so well-rehearsed and well-executed that it is the standout of the whole program.
A Ceremony of Senses, by Larissa McGowan, is another very funny piece. The music is excruciatingly awful, but serves its purpose well of supporting a performance about the trauma that ensues from human interactions. There is lots of mechanical movement, twitching of limbs and shuddering of bodies, with the dancers’ heavy breaths forming part of the soundtrack. Amber McCartney was a standout in the piece, and it came as no surprise when she was awarded The Orloff Family Encouragement Award at the end of the evening, one of a series of monetary awards presented to selected VCA graduates.
Benjamin Hancock’s More Than Matter closed the program. The dancers are wearing bronze sequinned hooded jackets, which look absolutely amazing as they are hit with the spotlights. The costumes sparkle in blue, gold and bronze, and it’s absolutely mesmerising to watch. The piece mainly features the female dancers in spectacular canons, with long limbs moving slowly and fluidly, showing great clarity of line.
Aside from a few technical difficulties with lights that wouldn’t behave, VCA’s “Graduate Dance Season” was a wonderful program. The dancing was high quality; the choreography fresh, exciting and engaging. Above all, the dancers looked like they were enjoying themselves! Congratulations, graduates.
-- ASTRID LAWTON
Top photo: Amber McCartney with 3rd Year graduating students in Benjamin Hancock’s More Than Matter. Photo: Jeff Busby.