WIRED - The Training Ground

 

Produced, Directed, Choreographed and Music Editing by Bonnie Neate & Suzy Piani.

Lighting Design by Bonnie Neate, Suzy Piani and Alex Clifford.

Costumes by Canberra Dancewear, Hamilton’s Theatrical.

Videography and 3D animation by Trent Houssenloge & Chris Curran – Cowboy Hat Films.

Erindale Theatre, August 2 & 3, 2024.                        

Performance on August 3^rd reviewed by BILL STEPHENS

Jemima Paul (Greta) - Larina Bagic(The Watcher) in "Wired"

Established in 2020 by Bonnie Neate and Suzy Piani, The Training Ground is a self-funded six-month, pre-professional contemporary dance program for advanced contemporary dancers from the ACT and surrounding areas. The program culminates in two public performances of an original full-length dance work.

In previous years these works have consisted of deconstructions of well-known classical ballets, "Giselle", "Romeo and Juliet" and "Coppelia", which have earned the program awards and critically acclaim for its originality, execution and superb presentation.

"WIRED" varies from previous presentations in that it was inspired by a true story from 1980’s, concerning a young person in Massachusetts who hid himself inside the walls of a house to terrorise the occupants.

Released from the necessity of referencing the pre-determined storyline, Neate and Piani have devised a highly effective full-length abstract work which explores the psychological implications inherent in this story, building and maintaining mood and tension through sophisticated complex choreographic sequences that test, explore and showcase the capacity of their dancers.

As in previous years both execution and presentation were highly professional. Eschewing character costuming, the meticulously groomed dancers all wore attractive short-legged unitards. Principal characters were similarly costumed, distinguished by minor details, such as a collar or trousers.

Charlie Thomson (Leo) - Jemima Paul (Greta) - Emily McCoy (Tess) in "Wired"

Jemima Paul, Emily McCoy and Charlie Thompson, portrayed the three inhabitants of the house, named Greta Tess and Leo, while Larina Bagic was the mysterious omnipresent character called The Watcher.

As soloists they carried the narrative, performing the demanding solos, duets and group numbers which linked the meticulously rehearsed ensemble sequences.

Larina Bagic, so impressive in last year’s “Unhinged”, again displayed her remarkable flexibility and command of technique to create an unsettling presence around each of three house-mates, shadowing and surrounding them in a series of virtuosic duets and solos.

Larina Bagic (The Watcher) - Jemima Paul (Greta) in "Wired"

Jemima Paul, sensitive and nervy as Greta, Emily McCoy, bright and carefree as Tess, and  Charlie Thomson, mischievous but attentive as Leo, the only male in the cast, all impressed with their outstanding dancing and  characterisation skills.  

Another remarkable feature of this production was the precision and attention to detail of the ensemble work.  Whole sections of intricately choreographed unison movement left every dancer vulnerable to being exposed should a concentration lapse occur. This however never seemed a possibility given the confidence and accuracy with which each and every dancer performed the demanding choreography. The result was quite thrilling to experience, and a credit to everyone involved.

The "Wired"  ensemble in performance

As with previous Training Ground productions, the sophistication of the scenery and special effects was also outstanding.

An integral character with a personality of its own, the House was brilliantly realised by Trent Houssenloge and Chris Curran in extraordinary videography and 3D animation. It was initially beautiful, but as paintings began to drop off walls, and eyes started to peer through the resultant cracks, it gradually became more and more sinister until finally it disintegrated in a shattering finale.

Dramatic lighting by Alex Clifford, together with other special effects, particularly the moment when The Watcher was suspended in mid-air surrounded by floating stools, and others when walls artfully manipulated by Imogen Addison revealed hidden dancers, were achieved with the professional polish that is the hallmark of the work of Bonnie Neate and Suzy Piani.

These are just some of the reasons why these annual presentations by The Training Ground have become established as among the most eagerly anticipated events in the Canberra dance calendar.   

                                        Photos by Eliza Swiderski of ES Fotografi

                      This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW.