QL2 Dance
QL2 Theatre, Gorman House
Arts Centre
21 and 22 November
2015
Review by Len Power
21 November 2015
QL2 Dance’s annual ‘Hot To Trot’ is a great opportunity to
see the work of company members stepping up into the role of
choreographer. The imagination displayed
by these young people and their ability to realize it in terms of dance is
quite exhilarating. Every item in the
program was enjoyable and well done. The
following works had the most impact.
‘Blink’, a dance video by Nassim Patel was quite startling. The choreography was in the editing of the film
and was very well done. It showed how
powerful this medium can be.
Also impressive was ‘8.81 metres per second’, a science
inspired work about gravity and its impact.
Choreographed by Caspar Ilschner and Jack Clements, it was very well
danced and the use of coloured balls in this work was especially imaginative. The well-chosen musical accompaniment
enhanced the overall theme.
A second science related piece also worked very well. ‘Snowflakes’
by Walter Wolffs explored the mathematical phenomenon known as fractals. Again, the use of props – rope and expanding
balls – added an extra dimension to this energetic and nicely danced item.
Jason Pearce’s ‘What are you waiting for?’ was especially
notable for his use of detailed hand movements.
It was graceful with a controlled energy and great co-ordination between
the dancers.
Caroline De Wan’s ‘Something that’s not’ looked at the
altered state of consciousness that is the meditative state of mind. This was very well choreographed, bringing
out the theme clearly. It looked good
visually with nice groupings of dancers and an especially good use of lighting
to enhance the atmosphere.
The outstanding item of the program was ‘Ember’, co-choreographed
and performed by Ruby Ballantyne and Milly Vanzwol. It looked at different ways light can
refract, reflect and absorb and how that corresponds with human relations. Dreamlike in its execution, the two dancers worked
very well together in this imaginative piece.
It was accompanied by a fine choice of music and lighting effects.
In some items more care could have been used with the music,
especially when transitioning from one section of the dance to another. Abruptly stopping the music at the end of a
section pulls the audience member out of the mood of the piece.
Overall, this was a very entertaining evening of dance. The enthusiasm, skill and imagination of
these young dancers and choreographers is always a pleasure to see.
Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard on Artsound FM’s ‘Artcetera’ program from 9am Saturdays.
