Craig Davidson’s Parts per Million – Queensland Ballet Soloists Georgia Swan and Vito Bernasconi in Queensland Ballet’s Bespoke. Photo by David Kelly.
Presented through a triptych of dance works and augmented by a commanding visual exhibition entitled Reserata by photographer David Kelly. This is a must see. Kelly’s images depict six Queensland Ballet dancers as they emerge from darkness to light personally interpreting composer Avro Part’s work, Fratres. Distinctive beauty and physical imagery here are riveting. The black and white forms exuding emotional sensitivity relating to dance movement and the human body. These artworks are shown throughout the Powerhouse precinct.
Onstage, the power, delight and sensitivities were inherent in these dance works. The piece Parts per Million is a dynamic sequence with patterns of dancers invoking symbolic group movement. A retinue with austere lighting and deep trance moving to clockwork like sound by Thayer, seemingly depicting a reference to society and the rhythm of life. Breathtaking duets highlighted the human depth of experience. At times a white lit monitor moved randomly through the dancers referencing our modern romance with screens. This visual experience with sophisticated, simple costumes by Alana Sergeant in monochrome presented as gender fluid/non-binary, provided a perfect complement to this work. Thayer’s grainy, and at times textural, velvety atmospheric soundscapes gave a sense of immersion and interplayed with Cameron Georg’s lighting masterfully. The prowess of the dancers showcased cutting edge choreography by Craig Davidson. Echoes of German constructivism are inherent in this work.
Gabrielle Nankivell’s Carbon Field – Queensland Ballet Artists and Expressions Dance Company Artists in Queensland Ballet’s Bespoke. Photo by David Kelly.
B-Sides exploded into life through colour and a background of 60s popular soundtrack artists. The audience were taken on a glorious ride through exciting expressive arrangements by the performers. Couples, male and male, male and female bought the excited audience to crescendos of storytelling through seamless contemporary choreography and set changes. One of the highlights was the piece backed by ‘You Don’t Own Me’ by dancer Noah Dunlop slipping into a dress and exuding defiance and joy, a real tribute to the LGBTQI ethos. Lister’s choreography swept the audience away. The work evoked bouts of laughter at times from the audience.
Queensland Ballet also collaborated with Expressions Dance Company (EDC) in Carbon Field, conceived and choreographed by Gabrielle Nankivell (Wilderbeest, Sydney Dance Company).
The piece is extraordinary. The mass of bodies rolling from side to side on set breathed biological awareness. The whole work exuded a duality of strength and feeling. One organic mass of life, I felt almost like they were carbon cells undulating together. The movements and creative physical dynamics offered an empowered experience driven by exceptional dance. A most enjoyable power packed performance with Luke Smiles soundscape providing superb atmospherics.
Jack Lister’s B-Sides – Jette Parker Young Artists Lilyana Scott and Pol Andres Thio in Queensland Ballet’s Bespoke. Photo by David Kelly.
As a cross discipline production, the augmented experience of the Weavar app offered something extra.
But where was the film? I was looking forward to seeing Brute, however perhaps due to a technical issue the film wasn’t screened. The film was shown on the jumbo-tron screens in the foyer, which I caught snippets of.
The absolute athleticism of the troupes’ skill of performance in this production was breathtakingly beautiful. A thoroughly enjoyable event.
Experience some of the finest dancers and creatives Australia has to offer in Bespoke.
4 ½ stars ★★★★☆
Bespoke
Queensland Ballet
COLLABORATORS INCLUDE:
Choreographers Gabrielle Nankivell, Jack Lister, Craig Davidson
Choreographer/Film Artist Cass Mortimer Eipper
Guest Dancers Expressions Dance Company
Composer Luke Smiles
Photographer David Kelly
Creative Associate Amy Hollingsworth
Lighting Designer Cameron Goerg
9-15 November 2018
Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse
