QL2 Theatre,
Gorman House-Canberra
December 13, 14 2014
Reviewed
by:
Bill Stephens
Bill Stephens
Each
year for the last six years selected students from Australia and New Zealand
tertiary dance institutions have converged on QL2 in Canberra to try their hand
a creating a short individual dance work. Initially instituted to bring QL2
alumni back to Canberra during their tertiary studies to share what they have
learned, “On Course” has now expanded to include other tertiary dance students.
This year the seven young participating choreographers included students from
New Zealand and the UK as well as from WAAPA and VCA.
In the
two weeks of the residency, each choreographer is tasked with creating a short
dance work on senior QL2 dancers and other participating students. The results
of their efforts are shown at two public performances before a paying audience.
At this performance, each choreographer introduces their work with a short
explanation of their choreographic inspiration. The performance is followed by
a short session involving both dancers and choreographers, during which members
of the audience have the opportunity to question the participants about their
work.
 |
| "Buzz Off!" by Tanya Brown Ryan Stone and Ayesha Katz Photo: Lorna Sim |
Several
of the choreographers chose to explore deep abstract themes, but one of the
most successful and best resolved works was inspired by buzzing mosquitos.
WAAPA student, Tanya Brown incorporated slapping noises and quirky movement to
create a witty, amusing work for four dancers called “Buzz Off”. Excellent music choice and an imaginative finale
involving two dying R & J mosquitos added to the fun.
 |
| (Limits at infinity, approaching zero) by Chad McLachlan Chad McLachlan and Ryan Stone |
“(Limits at infinity, approaching zero)” by VCA student, Chad McLachlan, was also notable for its imaginative use of video images projected on to the bodies of the two white clad male dancers who performed complex repetitive movements against a neutral background to a driving soundtrack also composed by McLachlan.
NZSD
student Sam Hall’s “Earth V.2” was an absorbing and well-prepared work for six
dancers, incorporating unison and free-form sections to explore concepts of how
people might cope with the destruction of the earth’s biosphere. This work was
particularly notable for the well-staged struggle for leadership supremacy by
two male dancers.
For her
work “Disambiguation”, Falmouth University (UK) student, Melanie Kerr, made
striking use of white masks for her exploration of stereotyping. The work included
some lovely unison sections which were well managed by her four dancers.
 |
| "Impetus" by Ayesha Katz Nasim Patel (on Floor), Luke Fryer, Sam Hall, Oonagh Slater Photo: Lorna Sim |
By
contrast, WAAPA student, Ayesha Katz, in her work “Impetus”, for seven dancers,
utilised free-flowing structured improvisation, performed to a haunting
soundtrack, to create an abstract, lyrical piece of considerable beauty.
The one
solo piece in the program was a dense piece entitled “When the Wolves Turn
Blue” given a strong performance by the choreographer, Dean-Ryan Lincoln, from
WAAPA, to his own composition of the same name.
The final
work on the program was a delightfully playful, circusy piece by VCA student,
Amanda Lee, called simply “Experiment”. Posing the question “What if we never
lost our magical sense of imagination and creativity we had as children” and
performed to a varied soundscape
incorporating spoken word and music, Lee’s five dancers enthusiastically
embraced their inner child, mimed funny dialogue and bombarded the audience
with hundreds of multi-coloured balloons. While it did flag a bit towards the
end, “Experiment” provided an unexpected and joyful finale to the performance.
As with
all QL2 Dance presentations, “On Course 2014” was impeccably stage managed, the
costumes were simple but appropriate, the sound and lighting excellent. In
their comments at the post-show forum, the choreographers and dancers were
fulsome in their appreciation of the advice and mentorship of Ruth Osborne and
Adelina Larsson.
The
dancers, some of whom performed in several works, were well-prepared and
disciplined. Given the limited time they have had to work on these works – just
two weeks – and given that the focus of the program is on the choreography
rather than the dancing - the standard of dancing throughout was very
impressive, including that of several of the choreographers who danced in works
other than their own. While it might
seem unfair to single out particular dancers, it would be equally remiss not to
mention the work of Ryan Stone, whose strongly committed performances enhanced
several of the works.
Apart from providing an entertaining, often
enlightening evening of contemporary dance, “On Course” also acts as valuable
and fascinating microcosm of current dance trends in our tertiary dance
institutions, as the young choreographers inevitably reflect these influences
in their works, as they each strive to identify their own individual
choreographic voice.
