Contemporary Evening featuring Australia’s Expressions Dance Company
by Yoon Ji Seon (photos: Singapore Dance Theatre)
A world premiere combining both groups in the same work, Singapore and Australia’s finest ballet companies have come together to celebrate Singapore Dance Theatre’s 25th anniversary. World renowned artistic directors have joined forces to present passionate ballet pieces that portrayed a spectrum of emotions – love, affection, desire, jealousy and resentment.
Dedicated to the timeless German composer Brahms’s works, the first piece of the night “Absence of Story” was presented. Choreographed by Toru Shimazaki, the piece aimed to create a work without story or words to solely focus on the beauty of Brahmn
’s music.
Guest performers from Australia encapsulated the crowd with the next piece “Carmen Sweet” choreographed by Natalie Weir, the iconic tale about the freedom-loving beauty, Carmen. With three female dancers (Elise May, Michelle Barnett, Riannon Mclean) playing her different states of mind and alter egos, the tragic story was delivered by the passionate dance moves.
Showcasing a wide array of refined and spectacular techniques such as “en pointe” (balancing the entire body on their toes), the dancers were in full control of their bodies as they engrossed themselves in the art.
Another sentimental piece by Natalie Weir, “4 Seasons” represented different feel that the seasons symbolise. The youthfulness of Spring, the stormy shades of Summer, the brittleness and longing of Autumn and the chill and loss of Winter. The last performance of the night was “Fives” by Goh Choo San, an energetic and vibrant piece- an ensemble of unexpected gestures.
Audiences sat down at the Fort Canning Green lawn, enjoying the relaxed and picnic-like atmosphere.
The Ballet Under the Stars performance continues next weekend with the heart-wrenching tale of “Giselle”.
Date: 26~28 July
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Fort Canning Green
http://goo.gl/DBMma
