Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts: "Synchronicity" -
Geoff Gibbs Theatre, 15 November -
“Synchronicity” is the title of a challenging end-of-year programme for the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) second and third year students. The programme was comprised of four diverse works by August Bournonville, Sydney Dance Company (SDC) artistic director Rafael Bonachela, Expressions Dance Company artistic director Natalie Weir and local choreographer Aimee Smith. The dancers met the challenges of these works impressively, displaying versatility, technique and discipline throughout.
Six excerpts from Rafael Bonachela's 2009 work The Land of Yes and The Land of No opened the programme, danced by third year Advanced Diploma and Bachelor of Arts students, with WAAPA graduate and former SDC dancer Natalie Allen as répétiteur. Set to recorded music by Ezio Bosso, the production features a fluorescent-lit structure which flashes on and off in different sections, and a richly-lit cyclorama. White pleated costumes in varying shapes created striking visuals in this intense and abstract work and they embellish Bonachela's distinctive choreographic style. With some subtle playful and humorous moments, the work takes its title from the signs and symbols governing our lives. The five female and five male dancers were athletic, lithe, composed and skilled, with Casssandra Kift catching the eye, Alexander Perrozzi understated and affecting in his solo to "Hallelujah", and Karina Russell and Scott Elstermann delightful in the duet.
WAAPA graduate Aimee Smith's In The Way of Itself is set to recorded music by Diane Cluck and Ben Frost and was performed on an open stage by fourteen dancers dressed in Nathalie Fuentes-Reyes' beautifully designed black 3/4 pants and tops in varying sunset tones. It was well performed and very much an ensemble piece, with the second year BA dancers involved in its creation. Smith says the work grew from her desire to "return to the body - all its knowledge, vulnerability, grace and strength." This work included short solos, duos and small groups, which became massed groupings with broad movements, contractions, swinging arms and extensive use of the floor and finally, stillness and reaching. Lighting effects cast the dancers' shadows onto the rear wall of the theatre creating interesting images, and the use of smoke machines added mystery and intrigue.
After interval came Natalie Weir’s Proof Sheet Plates 1-8, created for Expressions Dance Company in 1993, and remounted for the “Synchronicity” season by Justin Rutzou with second and third year BA students. With recorded music by Wim Mertens ("Shot and Echo"), Kronos Quartet ("Short Stories"), Keith Tippet and Andy Sheppard ("66 Shades of Lipstick"), and Thomas Newman ("The Player"), it is a witty, quirky and highly entertaining work and the ten dancers clearly revelled in their chance to perform it. Very much a black and white affair, it features three white moveable panels, black metal frames used by dancers as another performing 'space', and black and white costumes which are used in various crafty ways.
Amongst very accomplished performances, standouts were Robert Tinning's powerful sinuosity on the frame, Rikki Bremner and Scott Elstermann in a sensual pyjama sequence, and Ezgi Gungor and Cameron Lansdown-Goodman in an ingenious clothes-swapping duet.
“Synchronicity” concluded with lively dance sequences from Act III of Bournonville's 1842 Napoli, staged by Andries Weidemann and Danielle Hunt, to Helsted and Paulli's recorded score. The extracts were confidently danced by second and third year Advanced Diploma students.
The program began with the pas de six. Against Madeleine Watt’s clever, stylised image of Naples, Madeleine Birch, Jacinta Eaves, Tia Hockey, Carina Roberts, Conor Coyle and Tobias Wolinski were all most impressive in control, line and style. Strong solos by Anthony Rinaldi, Tyler Finn, Alexander Perrozzi, Kealy Fouracre, Olivia Heyworth and Kendal Davis showed good use of épaulement and musical finishes, with attitudes, grand jetés in attitude and well-placed 5th positions commendable. A spirited Tarantella finale ensured the evening ended on a high note.
Margaret Mercer