SYDNEY DANCE IN SOMOS - THRILLING

 

The world premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s SOMOS , meaning ‘ We Are’ in Spanish , is a most stunning production . It is captivating and thoughtful , drawing on Bonachela’s Spanish background .

SOMOS is profound and revealing .The atmospheric set ,with a mirror floored rostrum,( a Kelsey Lee design) with the audience  seated on all four sides ,consists of diaphanous ,soft red strips .Eventually the strips rise. With lighting by Damien Cooper, at times there are sudden blinding flashes and theatrical haze .The music , coordinated by Nick Wales, consists of a dozen songs from five of Bonachela’s favourite composers - Silvia Perez Cruz, Chavela Vargas,Estrella Morente and Rosalia that blend bolero ,Flamenco and rich ,luscious vocals as well as astringent mechanized street sounds .




Bonachela’s choreography , showing off his integral style , is slinky, slithery, fast paced and very energetic. We are so close to the barefoot dancers , who seem effortlessly boneless ,we can see the strenuous body dynamically working extremely hard ,and hear the breathing. The choreography is quite challenging with strenuous lifts and breathless gasps of solos (Jesse Scales shines), duets , trios and quartets , including male and male, female and female  and small groups .It includes swooping arms , a long stretched ‘ line’ and some creamy , animal like sections of performance.

The wonderful dancers each wear individualised black costumes of varying layers and textures,,also by Lee , including fishnet stockings and flowing tunics . While each outfit is individualised there is a united style.


There is a feeling of affinity and closeness that possibly can be regarded as perhaps unsettling too as the dancers sit on the edge of the stage and stare at us.

A hypnotic, mesmerizing performance .

The sensational dancers are Lucy Angel, Naara de Matos, Dean Elliott,
Riley Fitzgerald, Liam Green, Madeline Harms, Luke Hayward,
Morgan Hurrell, Sophie Jones, Connor McMahon, Jesse Scales,
Piran Scott, Emily Seymour, Coco Wood and Chloe Young.

https://www.sydneydancecompany.com/performance/up-close-somos/

Running time – an hour

SOMOS runs at the Nielsen Studio 1-18 November 2023

 

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