Concept and
direction by Alison Plevey
Music
production by Ben Worth
Lighting and
technical production by Robbie Gordon
Designed by
Anna Trundle
Mt Stromlo
Observatory, Yale Colombia Dome
1st - 3rd December 2016
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
The
selection of the romantic burnt-out Dome at Mt. Stromlo Observatory, with its
magnificent valley views enhanced by a spectacular sunset, was an inspired
choice by dance-maker, Alison Plevey and her Australian Dance Party in which to
present her latest site-specific work, “Nervous”.
Seated in
two rows around the inside perimeter walls of the roofless dome, the audience was able to experience the twilight transition from sunset to starlight as the
performance progressed.
Two imposing concrete
structures which once supported giant telescopes provided a striking sculptural
setting for the performance which began gently with the four dancers, all
costumed in identical stylish white slacks and singlets, topped with nude string
mesh overshirts, pacing in different directions around the central performance
area.
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Occasionally
they confronted each other with long gazes. As the pace quickens the performers began moving backwards, sometimes circling each other and at other times colliding.
In this setting it was easy to image that they represent the universe.
Eventually they all collapsed to the floor, heralding the beginning of a
beautifully constructed adagio in which the four dancers moved in perfect
unison.
An
entertaining interlude commenced with Janine Proost desperately self-censoring
herself as she attempted to make a statement, brilliantly illustrated the
disabling effects of extreme nervousness.
In her program notes Plevey states “Nervous is
about the human state and today’s volatile world …. An interrogation of what
makes us nervous”. How she explores this proposition in abstract dance terms
makes for a stunning work which was often as puzzling as it was fascinating to
watch.
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| Alison Plevey in "Nervous" |
Superbly
performed by Alison Plevey, Gabriel Comerford, Olivia Fyfe and Janine Proost,
“Nervous” incorporates a remarkable electronic soundscape by Ben Worth, which set the mood for the various sections. Sometimes it was gentle and lyrical, at others
the bass was so loud that it could actually be felt vibrating through the body.
Spectacular
laser lighting and projections by Robbie Gordon effectively highlighted the drama
of the surroundings, but occasionally left the dancers in the dark, most
notably for the final tableau.
However, with
the originality of its concept, the uniqueness of its setting, and the
excellence of its execution, with “Nervous”, Australian Dance Party confirms
its promise of becoming an important new vehicle for contemporary dance in the
A.C.T.
Photos by Lorna Sim
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 2nd December 2016