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| Chloe Curtis - Charlie Thomson - Una Miletic - Ahlia Jesu-Koehler and dancers in "METTLE" |
Directed by Alice Lee Holland – Choreographed by Alice
Lee Holland and Jack Ziesing.
Sound Design: Sasha Budimski – Visual Design: Creswick
Costume Design: Aleisa Jelbart
Performed by Paige Caddaye – Mieke Clode – Chloe Curtis –
Maya Farrall - Juliette Feerick – Maya Hughes Brownell – Ahlia Jesu-Koehler –
Jahna Lugnan – Anna Maksimova – Una Miletic – Reuben Reynolds - Charlie Thomson
– Delphi Uzubalis
Presented by Quantum Leap Australia – The Vault -
Canberra – July 24th to 26th, 2026
Matinee Performance on July 25th reviewed by
BILL STEPHENS
The raw industrial vibe of the vast metal and concrete structure known as The Vault in the Dairy Road Precinct is fast becoming embraced by dance makers and visual artists as a source of inspiration and challenge.
The latest creative to be inspired by the opportunities offered
by The Vault is Alice Lee Holland, who chose The Vault as central to her inspiration
for “Mettle”, her second major dance work since taking over as Artistic
Director for Quantum Leap Australia.
To create “Mettle”, Holland built her work on an ensemble cast
of 12 young dancers of widely ranging skills and experience. Their ages ranged
through ages 10 to 17 years and were described in the printed program as Cast
and Co-creators. In addition, included in the cast was an older, experienced dancer
described as Cast and Artistic Associate.
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| Delphi Uzubalis - Chloe Curtis - Reuben Reynolds - Jahna Lugnan in METTLE |
Leading the team of professional creatives, consisting of Jack
Ziesing, with whom she shared choreographic duties, Aleisa Jelbart (Costume
Design, Creswick (Visual Design), Sascha Budimski (Sound design), Ninian Donald
(Production Manager) and Jahna Lugnan (Dancer and Artistic Associate), she tasked
all of them to consider not only the venue but also the many permeations of the
word, mettle, when working together on the creation of “Mettle”.
As the lights came up on the finished work, which began in darkness,
a post-apocalyptic aesthetic was quickly established. The dancers were lined up against the back
wall, their faces expressionless, and each wearing a costume which appeared to
have been made from discarded clothing.
As “Mettled” continued it became obvious that while this was
indeed the case, each garment was a cleverly designed, individual construction,
cleverly layered to move beautifully and each accessorised with an individual grunge
hairstyle.
Slowly the line began to move forward, zombie-like, until
one-by-one, single dancers broke away to writhe or collapse unsettlingly. Some
began to push and shove the person nearest them and two boys began to challenge
each other with experimental fisticuffs.
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| Reuben Reynolds - Charlie Thomson - Paige Caddaye and dancers in METTLE |
As the work continued, the ensemble formed groups and performed
abstract solos, inspired by 10 scene titles - Descent – Overwhelm – Pushed –
Buried- The Cave – Forming – Discipline – Drive – Mettle.
Each scene was differentiated by striking visuals projected onto
three of the four surrounding walls and enhanced by a compelling soundscape which
echoed the mood.
For the final section the whole ensemble was involved in executing
an exhilarating extended sequence of demanding choreographic movements.
For this section, any attempt at polished unison movement was
dispensed in favour of each member completing each movement to the best of
their own individual ability.
It was impossible not to be impressed by the potential,
concentration, commitment and stamina of the whole ensemble as it worked its
way through the testing material to create this highly individual original
work.
Photos by Olivia Wikner - O&J Wikner Photography
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW.