Sydney Dance in Momenta
SYDNEY
DANCE MOMENTA
Momenta grabs and
dazzles you from the start.
It is about breath
and life, explores time and space and how human emotions are forged and
disrupted by time. The work integrates with the subliminal via powerful
intensity and a dramatic look. Momenta opens with the dancers like ghostly
sculptures and then uses mechanical arm movements in the first few scenes. Bonacheala’
s dynamic,extremely demanding choreography is sweeping , with many levels and
fluid – at times the dancers sit like sculptures , at others they slip , ripple
, slide and glide , crawl on all fours ,
contrasted with high ,difficult lifts , a creamy stretched ‘ line’ and lots of slinky floorwork and spiky motions
. Their refined grace, flexibility,mastery of
technique and powerful stamina are always visible.
The ensemble dancing is tremendous and we also see
each dancer’s uniqueness. The choreography mixes the ebb,runs and walking of
postmodern dance with strict classical ballet technique . Admiration, passion and compassion feature in the sensational pas de
deux featuring Naiara de Matos and Piran Scott.
Different parts of the choreography reveal
ambiguity, antagonism and sensitivity or possibly listlessness.
Elizabeth Gadsby’s sets and costume and set
designs were rather minimalist, seemingly simple and pared down. Her skin
coloured costumes were rather genderless.
Pulsating lighting by Damien Cooper included an
enveloping stage mist, silhouettes, and is accented by a three-metre crane
rigged with nineteen lights, that moves and pivots to bring to life washes of
colour, shadows and extraordinary angles.At one point the floor reflects a
shiny red, at another the stage seems to tilt and drop towards the floor . intimacy, desire, tenderness, particularly in
the glorious pas de deux featuring Naiara de Matos and Piran Scott. Other
dances evoked rivalry, or was it uncertainty, fragility, or maybe even
supplication? Others seemed to express an underlying languor or perhaps
world-weariness,
Nick Wales’soundscore was unveiled in seven
movements and encompassed ‘Distant Light’, a violin concerto by Pēteris Vasks
for two of the movements. A most interesting choice of instruments was used,
such as solo viola,the human voice,
strong percussion , bass drums ,accordion, piano, chimes and some drum
machines and synths. It rustles,crackles and glitters with great intensity.
The work ends with a solitary dancer seemingly
dragging himself on the stage and an explosion of confetti.
The audience clapped and cheered most
enthusiastically for this not to be missed performance.
Sydney
Dance Company
Roslyn
Packer Theatre
Choreography:
Rafael Bonachela
Music:
Original Score by Nick Wales featuring ‘Distant Light’ by Pēteris Vasks
Set
and Costume Design: Elizabeth Gadsby
Associate
Costume Design: Emma White
Lighting:
Damien Cooper
momenta ran
at the Roslyn Packer Theatre 28 May – 8 June 2024
https://www.sydneydancecompany.com/performance/momenta
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