Concept and direction
by Simon Hoy
Choreography by Simon
Hoy and Timothy Podesta
Melbourne Ballet
Company
Q Theatre, Queanbeyan
to 26 August
Reviewed by Len Power
25 August 2017
Inspired by ‘Swan Lake’, ‘Archè!’ also takes inspiration from
the Greek Myth – Leda and the Swan and The Dying Swan. Archè is the Greek word that indicates the beginning,
the principle from which all things arise – the force that explains their birth
and death.
It’s a clever concept because in this show we have the original
ballet, Swan Lake, as the beginning and, of course, its storyline leads to
death at the end. Director, Simon Hoy,
honours the original ballet but gives us a fresh and innovative take on it with
a modern-looking production using video projection for the backgrounds, the familiar
and expected music by Tchaikovsky but blended seamlessly with other music by
Einaldi, Arnalds, Morricone, Jeanrenaud and Elgar. Costuming by Hoy and Antonia Leonardi is also
a mix of classical and modern that works very well.
The choreography by Hoy and Timothy Podesta is constantly
surprising, defying our expectations and giving a wistful, dreamlike quality to
the story’s progression.
Hoy and Podesta’s choreography is beautifully danced by the
company’s nine dancers. Michael Braun captured
a realistic and appealing innocence in his performance as the love-struck Prince
Siegfried, dancing the role very well.
Kristy Lee Denovan as Odette and Odile, gave us two very distinctive characters
and her dancing as the tragic Odette was especially moving. Alexander Baden Bryce was a dangerously
attractive Rothbart, dancing with great precision and Matt Dillon danced the
prince’s friend, Benno, very well.
Simon Hoy has put his own stamp on this much-loved classic ballet
and it all works very enjoyably.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s ‘Artcetera’ program (9.00am Saturdays)
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