Expressions Dance
Company and
Queensland Performing
Arts Centre
Choreography by
Natalie Weir
The Q Theatre,
Queanbeyan to 22 June
Reviewed by Len Power 21 June 2019
Expressions Dance Company’s work, ‘The Dinner Party’, is
over-flowing with the full range of human traits, needs and emotions. It doesn’t flinch from showing us as we
really are, including our dark side. At
a smart dinner party held by a dominant and flashy young man, his well-dressed
guests compete in a play for power that opens a Pandora’s Box of greed, anger,
ambition, competitiveness, jealousy, betrayal and disappointment. It’s a beautifully realized work of great
power and beauty.
Since 1984, Queensland’s Expressions Dance Company has
created more than 170 works by national and international choreographers. They have toured nationally and
internationally. Their work, ‘Carmen
Sweet’ was performed memorably at The Q in 2015.
Choreographer of ‘The Dinner Party’, Queenslander Natalie
Weir, was artistic director of the company until last year. As well as her work with Expressions Dance
Company, she has choreographed for the Queensland Ballet, The Australian
Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre and for many overseas companies.
This fine production shows the company at its artistic
best. The choreography is superb. The intention is clear and accessible and
danced with great confidence and skill by the company of six dancers. The simple setting of a dinner table and
chairs is used imaginatively and it’s complemented by a strikingly atmospheric
lighting design by Ben Hughes. The
costumes of the well-dressed dinner party members by Gail Sorronda are the
height of fashion and also give each dancer an individual look and character.
Once again, Expressions Dance Company has produced a work
that is visually stunning, full of passion and highly entertaining.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.