Lisa Griffiths and Craig Barry
The Space Theatre, Adelaide. July
Since they first danced together with Tasdance in 2002, the uncanny resemblance between dancers Lisa Griffiths and Craig Barry has often been commented upon, and led to them being paired in many productions. So similar are they in height, colouring and build, that they could be twins; indeed, artistic director of Tasdance, Annie Greig, said they were “from the same egg”. Eventually, they decided to draw on their strong dancing partnership and close friendship as the basis for choreography, starting with a Critical Path mentorship in 2006. The resulting work, Side to One, takes as its premise the question, “How much can we dance as one?”
It is a slim premise to hang a work on, but for the most part it comes off. Their physical synchronicity, and the similarity in their movement styles are indeed uncanny; they also have a very obvious emotional affinity that is charming to watch.
In the first part, this is accentuated by the use of a baggy old jumper that they dance simultaneously within. The sinuous movement of the opening gives way to a more mechanical style when Barry breaks free from the jumper. The intricate duetwork of this first section is well crafted, with a quirky use of gesture alongside some lovely lifts. A narrative of sorts ensues, depicting their growing estrangement, in which a box-like structure figures largely as both platform and enclosure. Increasingly angry and obviously unanswered phone messages signal the breakdown of the friendship, as does their physical separation via the medium of the box.
Adam Synnott’s electronic score, partly generated live, adds to the tension although is a little over-amplified at times. Video projections by Jason Lam are intriguing in themselves, but not fully integrated into the work as yet.
All in all, Side to One is enjoyable without being deeply engaging: I felt that the relationship needed to be more compellingly established on an emotional level in order for its breakdown to be truly affecting. However, there is a lot of promise here, and I look forward to what these twins of spirit will come up with next.
- MAGGIE TONKIN
'Side to One' will move to the Parramatta Riverside Theatres in Sydney and run from August 10-15.