QL2 Theatre, Gorman
House
13 – 14 December 2014
Review by Len Power
13 December 2014
QL2 Dance’s final program for the year brings together
current dance students from tertiary institutions across Australia to
choreograph, collaborate and perform.
They are joined by current Quantum Leapers who have the opportunity to
participate as dancers, working alongside the tertiary students. This year seven works were presented and were
introduced prior to each performance by the respective choreographer.
Sam Hall from the New Zealand School Of Dance (NZSD)
presented ‘Earth V.2’, a a discussion on how we might individually cope if
earth was destroyed and we had to start a new life on another planet. This was a finely detailed work with a strong
and clear message, nicely danced by a group of six.
‘Disambiguation’ was choreographed by Australian, Melanie
Kerr now studying at Falmouth University in the United Kingdom. A study of stereotyping and how it impacts on
our society, the use of masks gave this clever work an almost dream-like
quality.
Utilizing film, music and live dance in ‘(Limits at infinity,
approaching zero)’, Chad McLachlan, from the Victorian College Of The Arts
(VCA) choreographed, and also danced with Ryan Stone, a visually original
concept where film seemed to mirror and blend with live dance.
‘Impetus’, by Ayesha Katz, currently studying at the Western
Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), was a beautiful work about
energy and motion. Equally lyrical and
dramatic, there were great solo elements as well as excellent ensemble work with
the dancers plus a good choice of music.
Dean-Ryan Lincoln, also from WAAPA, presented and danced a
deeply thoughtful solo work about mind and body, knowledge and the aim to
achieve called, ‘When The Wolves Turn Blue’.
Tanya Brown, another student from WAAPA, gave us an amusing
and witty piece called ‘Buzz Off!’ which started with the idea ‘If only our
thoughts were as easy to kill as mosquitoes’.
‘Experiment’ by Amanda Lee from the Victorian College of the
Arts (VCA) was a joyous work asking, ‘What if we never lost our magical sense
of imagination and creativity we had as children?’ It was imaginative and a delightful end to
the program.
All seven works were of a high standard showing great
creativity and a clear sense of purpose.
The choreographers were well-served by the dancers who performed with
confidence throughout the program.
This was a stimulating and entertaining dance program that
was a delight to attend.
Originally broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Dress Circle’ showbiz program
with Bill Stephens on Sunday 14 December 2014 from 5pm.
