Presented by
Ausdance ACT
Ralph Wilson
Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, 3-5 May
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
This is the
third season of performances of works resulting from Ausdance ACT’s mentoring
program for young dance makers, “Escalate”, curated by the 2017 Canberra Artist
of the Year, Liz Lea.
Again the eight
dance works and two films which formed the program displayed an admirable
variety in approach by the choreographers, and resulted in an interesting,
well-danced program, supported with efficient stage management and evocative
lighting design.  |
| Ena Haskic and Sophie Ford in "The Moment" |
Ena Haskic’s
work, “The Moment”, proved an effective
opening for the program. Danced by Haskic and Sophie Forde, costumed
identically including their hairstyles, who mirrored each other’s movements to
evoke a sense of the past and present. Exquisitely costumed, Maheyrin Chowdhury
choreographed and performed a solo in traditional Bharatnatyam Indian classical
style, entitled “Woman of Beauteous Spring”, which displayed her finely honed
technique to riveting affect.
 |
| Maheyrin Chowdhury in "Woman of Beauteus Spring" |
Clare Healey
incorporated interesting film, well planned lighting design and the music of
the Fall Creek Boys Choir to create an impressive solo, which she danced
herself, entitled “Finding Hope”.
Identically costumed in long black dresses with bright red underskirts,
Tara Coughlan and Sinead Shorka performed a lovely duo entitled, “Gemini”,
inspired by the Gemini constellations and the myth of twin spirit, which they
choreographed together with Liz Lea, and will perform for the World Dance
Alliance in Adelaide in July.
 |
| Tara Coughlan and Sinead Shorka in "Gemini" |
Choreographed
by Hikma Aroub and Leena Wall and danced by Aroub, Kat Brown and Holly Waldron,
“Moments in Time” was a well-constructed trio, danced against a filmed
background, gently exploring the fragility of friendship. Ashlen Claire
Harkness also utilised film of Nisha Joseph narrating her anxieties as a
striking background for her improvisational work, “Core”, performed by Arabella
Frahn-Starke, Isabelle Beauverd and Oonagh Slater.
 |
| Evan Liversedge, Chris Wade, Harry Wade in "Contained" |
Clever
lighting represented barriers for Evan Liversidge, Chris Wade and Harry Wade in
Claire Liversidge’s work, “Contained” which also incorporated interesting
shapes and effective unison work effectively performed by the dancers. An energetic
biographical hip hop solo “Pass the Boundaries” created and performed by Carol
Blazeski was the final work in a program which provided a fascinating insight
into the diversity and quality of dance making in Canberra.
 |
| Carol Blaseski in "Pass the Boundaries" Photos by: Andrew Sikoski |