Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
3- 6 August
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
Under the guidance of Ruth Osborne this progam of three dance works exploring themes of identity produced some of the most exhilarating contemporary dance choreography seen in the region this year.
Three professional choreographers interpreted the themes in works which were accessible, entertaining, technically demanding and requiring complex ensemble dancing. Each had its own compelling score composed by Adam Ventura, and impressive audio-visual effects devised by Bearcage Productions.
A noticeable lift in the confidence and skill level of the dancers was evident this year in their more assured interpretation of choreographic concepts, resulting in many genuinely thrilling moments.
For "The Land is Calling" Jodie Farrugia concentrated on Australia's migration history. Her large ensemble cast depicted fleeting images of early settlers, convicts and boat-people, to a moody soundscape and images of migration statistics projected on to a large screen behind them.
"Precipice", a beautiful, quite moving work by Adam Wheeler, used just 8 dancers to explore individual identity. Each dancer introduced with a pre-recorded voiceover musing on their anxieties, relationships and accomplishments. Sensitive partnering combined with the impressive technical abilities of the dancers made this piece a stand-out.
The program concluded in spectacular fashion with "Digital Face" involving an ensemble of about 30 dancers armed with imaginary cameras and computers, for which choreographer, Anton, clearly a master of large-scale
stage movement, devised a succession of dazzling, joyfully-danced episodes for his witty take on life in the technological age.
(An edited version of this review appears in "City News" August 10th-16th)
