Jon Bond, Vânia Doutel Vaz in Mixed Rep. Photo by Paula Lobo, Adelaide Festival of Arts.
Presented by Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
Reviewed 6 March 2015
In their ten or so year history, Cedar Lake has built an enviable reputation and, from what I saw in this performance, it is well deserved. The entire performance was spellbinding, holding the audience’s attention effortlessly.
Mixed Rep is, as you would suppose, a mixture lifted from their growing repertoire: Violet Kid, Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue and Indigo Rose.
Indigo Rose, choreographed by Jiří Kylián, began with one dancer in a cross spotlight completely still, who then moved into a frenetic series of dance moves, intricate and precise. There was a single wire angled and bisecting the stage, which was used to support a white cloth. The dancers used this to create shadow dancers, using all the tricks of the placement of light and dancers to enhance the performance. The five dancers involved had enviable control and technique. They also managed to elicit humour, giving the audience a chance to laugh.
After interval, Crystal Pite’s Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue used nine dancers to present vinaigrettes showing different conflicts. The low lights and the mood music gave this a sombre and intimate feel and the lack of music at times intensified the emotion. Each of the small scenes was unique and the focus was entirely between the two dancers. I found this a very moving piece.
Violet Kid, choreographed by Hofesh Shechter, burst with youthful energy that was controlled and directed. It began in darkness with a strong pulsing sound and, coming after interval, it was a striking beginning. The fourteen dancers were in a line downstage, suddenly illuminated by a bright light, and a voice asked, “Do I talk too much?” This led to a sort of gathering with two men in the middle, one on his knees, the other pointing his finger, like a gun, at the back of his head. The voice track then said, “There, that’s better,” which began a series of complex group dances all very evocative and some a little unsettling. I do not know enough about dance to try and interpret the meanings or what they represent, but it was fascinating and compelling.
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: 6 & 8 March 2015
Duration: 2hs 20min
Tickets: $30-$109
Bookings: Book through the Adelaide Festival online or through BASS online, phone 131 246 (booking fees apply)
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