Conceived and Directed by Garry Stewart
Choreographed by Garry Stewart and the dancers of
Australian Dance Theatre
Composed by Brendan Woithe - Lighting designed by
Damien Cooper
Costumes designed and constructed by Davis Browne
Dancers: Jana
Castillo – Zoe Dunwoodie – Harrison Elliott – Thomas Fonua – Christopher Mills
– Gabrielle Nakivell – Matt Roffe – Rowan Rossi – Kimball Wong
Australian Dance Theatre, Canberra Theatre, 14th 15th
June 2018
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
Based upon rhythms in nature, Garry Stewart’s astonishing
new work, which received its Australian premier performance in the Canberra
Theatre last night (14th June), is an extraordinarily poetic exploration
of how these rhythms permeate all aspects of the material universe.
That may sound like a highfalutin description to
disguise an incomprehensible evening of impenetrable abstract dance, but
don’t be put off. “The Beginning of Nature” is remarkably accessible and packed
with extraordinarily seductive images created by Stewart’s endlessly inventive kaleidoscopic
choreography which quickly transports the viewer beyond the present into the
space promised by the title.
To interpret his hypothesis, Stewart has assembled a
remarkable company of lithe, muscular dancers who understand and interpret his
choreography with astonishing bravery and virtuosity. He’s surrounded them with
an equally virtuosic creative team which has created a lush, deceptively simple,
environment which both focused the concept and enhanced the work of the
dancers.
For much of the performance the dancers are costumed
in flowing unisex robes, revealingly slashed at the sides to allow the dancers
freedom and also reveal the fabulous lines created by Stewart’s choreography. Elsewhere
the dancers replace the robes with loose trousers or trunks. At one point a
bare-topped couple, clad only black trunks and locked at the mouth in an
endless kiss, maneuvered each other around the stage. Later two female dancers gnawed
animalistically on the leg of a stricken male dancer. Occasional use of bright
green, in gloves, long sticks and plants, effectively symbolized primitive life.
Otherwise no storyline distracted from the stunning brilliance of the dancing.
Brendan Woithe’s haunting score features sections of
indigenous Kaurna language sung in operatic style by Heru Pinkasova and Karen
Cummings, both seated at the back of the stage with Adelaide’s Zephyr Quartet.
All gave a superb account of the atmospheric score, which also featured
pre-recorded enhancements.
During a pre-show talk last night, Garry Stewart
remarked that “The Beginning of Nature”, was not his most difficult work to
date. It may not be his most difficult, but it is certainly among his most
beautiful. With “The Beginning of Nature”, Stewart has created a masterpiece
which, following its Canberra premiere will be seen widely through-out
Australia, before being performed overseas, including New York, in 2019. When
it comes your way, don’t miss it.
Images: David James McCarthy
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 15th June 2018
