The Australian Ballet in Circle Electric/Etudes

 

AUSTRALIAN BALLET ETDUES/CIRCLE ELECTRIC

Sydney Opera House

MAY 2024

This is a double bill of very contrasting works that severely divides critic and audiences. Technically the dancing for both pieces was outstanding .The Orchestra under the baton of Jessica Gethin was fabulous.

The opening work was the world premiere of Stephanie Lake’s Circle Electric. Lake is currently Resident Choreographer for the Ballet. Sorry readers, but I was disappointed – yes the dancing was amazing and some aspects of the piece great, but the choreography for this plotless work was repetitive and needed editing and cutting - the piece went on way too long.


The work purportedly is about an infinitesimal examination of being alive, investigating existence, rapport and aspirations .

The set, costumes, and dramatic lighting (Paula Levis, Charles Davis, and Bosco Shaw) were very well done. Robin Fox’s score was at times a hammering mix, lending live Orchestra with electric-acoustic sound and percussion .The set design was sparse , simple yet arresting .A large circle of light rotates, rises and falls , delineates and shadows the dancers.

Lake’s choreography, in a cascading series of ensemble work and solos and duets , includes twitching ,brushing the hair, runs and walks in a circle, high kicks , fabulous pirouettes ,and demanding lifts as well as the ‘ line’ of the elbow , all requiring exceptional fluidity and control. The dancers yell, shriek and talk, at one point yelling at us the audience.

There was also a startling flow of dancers crossing the stage on a high platform in contrast to those below.

Etudes, the second work, was demandingly classical. Created by It was first performed in 1948xx celebrates pure classicism, the renowned work choreographed by Danish dancer and choreographer Harald Lander, shows how the pattern of daily morning ballet class leads to a performance. Études (French for “studies”) starts with dancers at the barre .They labour through a complex series of exercises waking up their bodies , stretching muscles, with plies, tendus ,frappes ,rondes des jambes ,growing to a crescendo before progressing to centre work and allegro including pointe work , a whirling display of jetes , pas de chats , pirouettes and lifts , patterns of groups criss crossing the stage and some breathtaking solos and pas de deux ,closing with a  complicated, demanding crescendo of difficult choreography requiring a refined, elegant line and dazzling technique .

Complemented by spectacular new costumes from Lise Lander, black and white tutus and even long Romantic ones ,the rather sparse and severe set design is complemented by the dramatic lighting originally designed by Lander, reproduced here by Francis Croese.    

 

A most thought provoking disparate double bill that gives one lots to think about.                                                                                                                                        

The Australian Ballet in Etudes/Circle was at the Sydney Opera House May 3-18 , and then is in Melbourne 2-9 October  

For more information and bookings, visit: www.australianballet.com.au for details.

Circle Electric
Choreography: Stephanie Lake
Rehearsal director: Kimball Wong
Composer: Robin Fox
Costume design: Paula Levis
Set design: Charles Davis
Lighting design: Bosco Shaw

Études
Choreography: Harald Lander
Staging: Johnny Eliasen
Guest Repetiteur: Mark Kay
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
These performances of Études (after music by Carl Czerny) by Knudåge Riisager are given by permission of Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, exclusive agents Boosey and Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd of London.
Artistic adviser: Lise Lander  

Running time allow two and a half hours

 

 

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