Touring is an important part of ballet education, not just for the dancers, but for young audiences too. The Dancers Company visit to Geelong on July 24 was very special. The verdict from my 10 and 12 year-olds was one of awe with the footwork and partner dancing. Most of all they could visualise where their own lessons were headed. Occasionally there was a little gasp, a mumbled French expression and a ‘that’s how it’s done!’ from the next seats.
Opening the Triple Bill with Poems, the dancers exuded a sense of fun in the jaunty choreography of Robert Ray. The girls were highly amused that ballet could incorporate bicycles, tennis racquets and invent imaginary cars through choreography. Songs of Light, choreographed by Tim Harbour and set to piano arrangements of Radiohead, saw them hypnotised by the contemporary moves.
The finale was the dream sequence from The Nutcracker choreographed by Leigh Rowles. The backdrop of the sugar-loaf mountains resembling St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square was enough to capture its Russian legacy. The performance was bright and uplifting: the Arabian Dance saw a djinn as snake charmer with a wonderful writhing dance from the ‘snake’, while the Trépak with its acrobatics sparkled and definitely caught the imagination of the kids present.
By Helen O’Brien, a Geelong-based musician and writer (with helpers Eugénie & Isabella English)
The Dancers Company tour continues to Rockhampton, Cairns, Alice Springs and Darwin
Leave a Reply
Sign in or register to leave a comment.
Or comment as a guest without registering (guest comments are moderated)