The INDance season opened with two outstanding and contrasting shows of entertaining modern dance. INDance is a presentation by Sydney Dance Company in its Neilson Studio of some of Australia’s talented and diverse independent contemporary dancemakers.
The evening commenced with choreographer Sarah Aiken’s MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT. It is a graceful and cerebral work that explores the individual, the self, and one’s role in the larger world, one’s role in the universal. Sarah uses initially light and shadow and later video to compare her tiny self with the massive importance of individualism in modern life. Her movements are lithe and graceful as she moves forward and her shadow becomes smaller, a representation of one’s smallness compared to the massive egos that individualism promotes. The performer then has a spoken conversation with a massive video projection of her larger self before returning to dance with a collage of projections containing multitudes of herself.
MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT is a thoughtful dance work that examines obligation and powerlessness, the subjective and objective and how your perspective depends on where you are and where you are looking.
CUDDLE is choreographer’s Harrison Ritchie-Jones amusing and energetic heist scenario that transforms into a wrestling match taking a meander through slapstick, gymnastics, rodeo, figure skating and childish banter. The performers are masked, their voices are masked, and this creates a menacing undertone but the dialogue is pleasantly frivolous and nonchalant. This just adds to the humour.
The dynamic and vigorous dance routines are technically brilliant and mesmerising. There were audible gasps from the audience in this intimate setting as the muscular bodies, and strength and energy of the dancers combined in a brutal and elegant display.
MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT
Choreography, Video, Visual Design and Performance: Sarah Aiken
Sound Design: Andrew Wilson
Technical Designer, Creative Assistance and Outside Eye: Daniel Arnott
Creative Support and Rehearsal Direction: Claire Leske
Text: Megan Payne with Sarah Aiken
Original Lighting Design: Amelia Lever-Davidson
Performer: Sarah Aiken
CUDDLE
Choreographer: Harrison Ritchie-Jones
Composers: Nick Roder and Max Dowling
Videographer: Alex Walton
Lighting Designer: Ashley Buchanan
Dramaturge: Michelle Heaven
Producer: Michaela Coventry
Performers: Harrison Ritchie-Jones and Michaela Tancheff
MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT and CUDDLE are at Neilson Studio at Sydney Dance Company until 17th August and are highly recommended. INDance continues at Neilson Studio with BRIGHTNESS and SUN until 24th August.
