Bespoke - Queensland Ballet

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Fri 08 Oct 2021 - Sun 17 Oct 2021

It's that time of year again. The normal pulse and rhythm of the Queensland Ballet rehearsal studios are overtaken with the enthralling sounds of distinctive music and dancers can be seen through the glass screens gyrating in different and sometimes eye-popping ways. As they launch into the annual contemporary ballet season, the mold of traditional ballet is broken. It offers a unique space to break down barriers, to liberate movement and enjoy playfulness and the exploration of a wide range of emotions.

If you are looking for something new in the Queensland Ballet repertoire but with the usual high standards, you will not be disappointed with this 2021 season of Bespoke.

Neatly divided into two pieces per act these four contemporary works were locally choreographed by Paul Boyd (Caravanserai), Natalie Weir (Fallen), Jack Lister (Mind Your Head), and Rani Luther (From. To. Here.). Each showcases a different theme combined with varying musical/lighting and costume palettes to explore contemporary dance. Each is delightful, each unique and each displays the clear commitment of dancers to excellence in their craft.

Caravanserai is a bold colourful piece that evokes the brilliant colours, spices and perfumes of the Silk Road. Inspired by the cellist Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, Paul Boyd has used this musical muse to capture the romance, fiery emotions and youthful energy of the region expressed through contemporary dance. The focus and exuberance of the Pre-Professional program dancers was mesmerising and orange costumes glowed in crepuscular light; the overall effect was entrancing.

Fallen takes its inspiration from the text of Schubert's Winterreise and Schubert's sweet melancholic music matches perfectly with the beauty and wistfulness of Natalie Weir's choreography. Danced sensitively by Queensland Ballet's Jette Parker Young Artists, the story portrays a young man venturing out in the snow consumed by grief for a lost love. Clever theatrical devices are incorporated such as another male dancer dancing as a shadow to portray the protagonist's emotions, the ballet corps moving together as a weeping and wailing Greek chorus, and the intensity of his feelings for his lost love represented by a beautiful maiden draped in a bold red in stark contrast to the grey hue of the rest of the stage. It was a magical yet melancholic piece which, in my opinion, was the most well balanced and resolved of the four pieces tonight but certainly one more demanding of the audience.

Mind your head is a punch in the face ballet piece which bridges the normal space between wrestling and modern dance with comic verve. If you were wondering how they would combine wrestling themes with dance all I can say is it has to be seen to be believed. One of the highlights of Mind your head is to see the stretch of the dancers' acting skills and their very clear enjoyment of immersing themselves in this wrestling parody. Please note if you are bringing your maiden aunt along she may well blush; you have been warned! But as far as the audience, in general, were concerned, it was a knockout!

From.To.Here. took its inspiration from people's courageous journey to another country either by choice or fleeing from terror. Rani Luther's choreography was matched with local composer Robert Davidson's evocative music and played by Camerata, Queensland Chamber Orchestra. Some of the senior dancers were standouts in dancing this lyrical and sometimes vigorous work. It was well received by the audience but I suspect I was not the only one who couldn't quite discern the theme of migration from the dance, costuming, staging or lighting. It was nonetheless a sophisticated piece which was danced with focus and verve by the whole ballet corps.



Tonight we saw the Queensland Ballet dancing their heart out to a number of very different contemporary pieces. One can't help but think they were dancing for the whole of Australia as the lucky ones who had this opportunity to perform their craft at this time in our history. As such they have done their country proud and are paving the way for those still in lockdown to emerge with a renewed sense of vigour and purpose.

#ballet
#brisbane_city
#dancing
#performing_arts
#shows
#theatre
#october
!date 08/10/2021 -- 17/10/2021
%wnbrisbane