QL2 Dance
Choreographed by Sara
Black, Kristina Chan, Adam Deusien and Alison Plevey
The Playhouse,
Canberra Theatre Centre to 30 July
Reviewed by Len Power
30 July 2016
‘Connected’ is 2016’s flagship performance project for QL2 Dance’s
Quantum Leap ensemble which consists of 32 young dance artists aged 13 to 26. In this program, three dance works were presented,
all linked by the theme of ‘connection’.
The first item, ‘Act of Contact’, was choreographed by Sara
Black. The work explored the connections
we receive through our skin. This was a
finely realized work clearly showing many aspects of tactile behaviour
individually and between people. It produced
pleasing groupings of dancers moving with confidence and there were interesting
almost mechanical-type connections displayed as well as the human connections. The music by Alisdair Macindoe worked
perfectly with the action onstage.
‘Infinite’ examined natural connections in how we live,
breathe and embody nature. It was choreographed
by Kristina Chan with good music by James Brown. This highly original work displayed a strong
understanding of theatrical presentation as well as dance. There was good use of colour in the lighting
design to heighten the atmosphere and draw focus to the action at particular
points on the stage. The sequence when
small groups of dancers writhed like primitive organisms was especially well
realized. The dramatic finale was very exciting
visually and aurally.
The final work was ‘All Our Might’, choreographed by Adam
Deusien and Alison Plevey and looked at the connection between strength,
empowerment, action and aggression. Beginning
and ending with moves similar to theatre warm up exercises, it developed into a
highly dramatic work showing the good and bad sides of strength and the
physical and mental impact it can bring.
The use of film produced by WildBear Entertainment added a heightened dramatic
dimension to this work which was very clear in its purpose and entertaining at
the same time. Music by Adam Ventoura
was particularly atmospheric and enjoyable.
The young dancers performed these works with great
enthusiasm, discipline and skill, producing an entertaining and memorable
program of dance.
Len Power’s reviews can
also be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Artcetera’ program on Saturdays from 9am.