QL2 Dance
Artistic Director: Ruth Osborne
Gorman House, 23 to 24 November 2013
Review by Len Power
Now
in its 15th year, QL2 Dance’s, ‘Hot To Trot’, showcases the work of
their dancers who have stepped into the role of choreographer. Artistic Director, Ruth Osborne, explains
that ‘it is not only a chance for them to develop ideas and create movement.
These choreographers need to take responsibility for their dancers’ well-being,
source costumes and music, consider lighting design, write program notes and
work to a timeline that has their piece rehearsed and performance ready in
time.’
This
year, nine items were presented of which three were films. All were well-realized works, notable for
their imaginative concepts and content and nicely danced by all
participants. There was also a
thoughtful integration of lighting, sound and music and an understanding that works
can entertain as well as inform.
It
isn’t possible here to mention every item in detail but the following were
especially impressive.
‘Yurai’, a film by choreographer Luke Fryer,
showed a strong mastery of the medium, creating an interesting choreography in
the flow of the film itself. Luke’s use
of perspective, jump cutting, slow motion and composition within the frame were
very impressive.
Alana
Stenning’s, ‘Primadonna’, was a clever and entertaining work that used her
group of dancers very well, creating strong and entertaining images to make her
point about narcissism. ‘Inter-dependence’,
a second work by Luke Fryer and danced live was especially witty and nicely
choreographed. His dancers Alex Abbot
and Kyra-Lee Hansen gave assured and witty performances that received a delighted
response from the audience.
Choreographed
by Kyra-Lee Hansen and Jack Riley who also danced the piece, ‘Hear no evil, see
no evil’, explored the idea of how we dance when we are by ourselves compared
to when we are being watched. This was
an exciting piece with complex but clear choreography and strong dancing, both
individually and especially together.
The
final piece, Scatterbrain’, choreographed by Amanda Lee, was a delightful
depiction of unconnected ideas and thoughts that race through a choreographer’s
mind when developing a work. It was very
entertaining as well as being nicely danced.
As
well as the fine dancing, it’s the imagination of these young choreographers
that is so impressive in ‘Hot To Trot’.
Do yourself a favour and make sure you see it next year!
Originally broadcast on Artsound FM
92.7 ‘Dress Circle’ on Sunday 1 December 2013.
