Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts: “Flourish” -
Geoff Gibbs Theatre, 14 November -
“Flourish” is the title of a week-long dance season featuring four works performed by Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) second and third year dance students. The restaging of challenging one act classical work Paquita, and new contemporary works by WAAPA dance lecturer, performer and choreographer, Sue Peacock (Endless Possibility), WAAPA dance graduate Rhiannon Newton (Circle Dances), and well-known choreographer and dance educator Sue Healey (The Four Seasons Retouched) gave all of the students valuable performing experience. And Mark Howett's evocative lighting designs greatly enhanced each of the works.
Opening the program was Paquita Scene III, staged by Danielle Hunt and Andries Weidermann (after Petipa) for second and third year classical students to Ludwig Minkus's Spanish-flavoured score. In eye-catching rich-red and black tutus designed by Nicola Stratman, beneath an ornate chandelier and shimmering stars, twelve well-synchronised ensemble ladies, each with a red rose in her hair, overcame first-night nerves in style. The six testing variations were commendably presented and long-limbed, elegant Jessica Cruse and Isaac Campbell in stylish cream and black were outstanding in the grand pas de deux. Ellen Williams, Tia Hockey, Saskia Harman and Madeleine Birch were also standouts.
Next was Endless Possibility, created by Sue Peacock in collaboration with third year contemporary students, furthering Peacock’s interest in using spoken text. Beginning on an open stage, dancers dressed in coloured crop tops, skirts, or shorts with three males in jeans and short-sleeved shirts, use a hand-held microphone to start random sentences and snippets of stories (inspired by the writings of Jeanette Winterson and Rebecca Solnit). An intriguing, eclectic recorded soundscape of Cello Recycling, Cinturao Tem Mele (Danca Tcha Tcha Tcha), Unsayable, Hip Hip Chin Chin, Ba Ba, and Xerox Spiegel offers endless possibilities, mostly interestingly echoed in choreography with lots of running and disconnected movement. Breakout Latino sequences, amazing lighting effects, strong performances and very effective delivery of the text by the sixteen dancers kept the audience engaged.
After interval, second year contemporary students performed Newton’s Circle Dances. The work begins with fourteen bare-foot dancers stretching on an open stage while a lowered overhead lighting rig is slowly raised. Wearing hooded 3/4 length robes in colours of red, maroon, orange and blue (excellent costume designs by Holly Albracht) and set to a mixed recorded soundtrack, (ACC and Swan, Zatlath Aithas, and Come Together) one by one the dancers assume their place in a central circle and sit crossed legged in silence under a single overhead light amid smoky haze. Ritualistic chanting begins as they kneel, moving their bodies in unison from side to side. Eventually the circle opens and they stand, dropping to the ground panting, before rising up. Some robes are removed as arms and legs shake. A folkloric circle dance begins followed by exuberant leaping, cartwheeling, running and skipping. While not a technically demanding piece, the cast gave impressive, committed performances.
Concluding the evening was Healey's The Four Seasons Retouched, with a program note dedicating the work to Lucette Aldous, "a true dancing spirit and inspiration beyond words," Choreographed to a slightly truncated recording of Max Richter's brilliant, respectful deconstruction of Vivaldi's original, which Richter refers to as "taking a new path through a well-known landscape," the dancers are in striking white unisex tunic-style outfits designed by Molly Werner with cut-out front sections and pleating at the back, rolled collars, some with long, gauzy sleeves enhancing arm movements. Lovely images begin to emerge with free-flowing spinning and frolicking, graduating to a more linear aesthetic and solos, duos and groups in swirling patterns, jumping and fleet movement catching the light as beautiful moving clouds of red, white and deep purple appear reflecting the moods of the seasons. A disciplined mix of twenty third year classical and contemporary students performed this work with spirit.
- Margaret Mercer
Photos by Jon Green. Click on thumbnail for captions. Top photo: Rhiannon Newton's Circle Dances.
"Flourish" closes 21 November - more info www.danceaustralia.com.au/news/waapa-to-flourish