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| "Frame of Mind" |
Choreographers: William Forsythe and Rafael Bonachella
Canberra Theatre until 2nd May 2015
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
“Frame of Mind”, presented by the Sydney Dance
Company as part of the Canberra Theatre Centre’s 50th Anniversary
celebrations, consists of two ravishing dance works. Raphael Bonachela choreographed the title
work, “Frame of Mind”, which showcases the entire company in an ethereal work
danced to a suite of original compositions composed by Bryce Dessner for the
Kronos Quartet. The work is also graced
by a beautiful setting designed by Ralph Myers, and artfully lit by Ben
Cistern, which suggests a large dance studio in which the walls are covered
with maps. Overhead are banks of fluorescent lights, and at one end a large
window through which sunlight streams.
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| "Frame of Mind" |
The dancers, wearing individual variations of
black practice clothes, come and go. Some practice individual virtuoso moves,
either solo, or in various groups. Around the perimeters, others argue, flirt, exercise,
or simply silently observe. At various
points they all join in to dance intricate unison passages, adding to the drama
and spectacle. The choreography is
endlessly inventive, the dancing brilliant, and every dancer gets a moment to
shine. The interactions of the dancers
suggest narratives but Bonachela leaves it to the individual audience members
to arrive at their own interpretations of this masterful and memorable work.
Although
choreographed more than 20 years ago, “Quintett”, which preceded “Frame of
Mind”, is a recognised masterwork of choreographer, William Forsythe. Presented
on a stage bare except for a large mirror, and a spotlight which projected
images on the dancers, “Quintett” is danced to Gavin Bryars’ haunting
composition which features the voice of a homeless man singing “Jesus’ Blood
Never Failed Me”, played in endless loops for the full duration of the
work.
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| "Quintett" |
“Quintett”
requires five virtuoso dancers possessing the stamina and skills to perform a
stream of intricate deconstructions of traditional classical ballet steps. Chloe Leong, Jesse Scales, David Mack, Cass
Mortimer Eipper and Sam Young-Wright are exactly that. All are astonishing dancers, who, while
appearing to throw themselves into the choreography with reckless abandon,
still manage to maintain remarkable control over every movement.
Although
composed by Forsythe as an elegy to his dancer wife who was, at the time, dying
with cancer, and who indeed died before the work was completed, “Quintett” has
many joyous passages and in these Chloe Leong in her bright yellow dress was
captivating. But it was former Canberra dancer, Sam Young-Wright, who
mesmerised the audience from the moment he stepped forward to perform the series
of classical ballet steps which establish the parameters of the work. In a
recent radio interview, Bonachella described Young-wright as “a young star”,
and there were few in the audience who would argue with that assessment. Young-Wright with his tall, rangy physique
already possesses a charismatic presence and a wonderfully fluid movement
quality that makes it hard to take your eyes off him whenever he is on stage.
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| "Quintett" |
The Sydney Dance Company is without a doubt, Australia’s leading contemporary dance company. It has been touring to Canberra regularly for close to forty years, during which time it has built up a strong, loyal following. The enthusiastic reception accorded “Frame of Mind” by the first night audience, will ensure that their 2015 visit will remain a highlight of the Canberra Theatre Centre’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
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| Sam Young-Wright in "Quintett" Photo: Peter Greig |
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 1st May 2015.
