This year’s Perth International Arts Festival is the first under artistic director Wendy Martin and the good news is that Martin is a huge supporter of dance. Martin has a long history with dance – she was appointed Head of Theatre and Dance at the Sydney Opera House in 2006, and went on to become Head of Performance and Dance at Southbank Centre, London. Whilst at Sydney Opera House, she founded Spring Dance, Australia’s first international dance festival.
Whilst Martin says she didn’t intentionally prioritise dance, Perth dance fans will notice the increase in the number of events in the PIAF program this year... but it's not just about quantity. Martin has programmed a diverse selection of dance from artists around the world.
So what’s on offer?
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Apocrifu is one of PIAF’s headline shows. Featuring all-male Corsican vocal ensemble, A Filetta, Apocrifu is performed by three dancers, including Cherkaoui himself.
Then there’s Pindorama, by Brazilian choreographer Lia Rodrigues, Within, by India’s Aditi Mangaldas, Aurelien Bory’s Plexus, Guide Gods and Give Me a Reason to Live, by Scottish choreographer Claire Cunningam, Stephen Page’s film version of Spear, Raewyn Hill’s work in development, Reason for Being, and, West Australian Ballet’s annual Ballet at the Quarry season “Five by Night”.
There’s also William Kentridge’s Refuse the Hour, a chamber opera of which dance is a crucial part.
Apocrifu by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Photo: Herman Sorgeloos.
