Soiree at the Talbot Theatre

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Thu 05 Dec 2024 - Sat 07 Dec 2024

Queensland Ballet Academy’s Soirée at the Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, achieves a world of grace, movement, and the sublime.


Set against the stunning backdrop of internationally renowned artist William Robinson AO’s work, Soirée is the creative brainchild of the Queensland Ballet Academy.


The event’s concept is an inspired one - an evening of world premieres, choreographed by some of Australia's most respected dance artists, including Natalie Weir, Paul Boyd, and Louise Deleur. These works are born from the powerful, emotive landscapes of Robinson’s paintings, making it not just a performance, but an event where visual art and dance coalesce.


It is, of course, no small thing to marry the worlds of fine art and dance, and certainly no easy feat to do so with such aplomb. The dancers - young, eager, yet deeply serious - breathe life into each choreographic work, taking Robinson’s captivating art and making it not just seen, but felt.


The evening’s centrepiece is undoubtedly the mesmerizing Creation landscape: The dome of space and time (2003/04). With its vivid palette of greens and purples, Robinson’s painting conjures both the sweep of history and the promise of the future, a perfect metaphor for the way in which Natalie Weir has approached her choreography. Inspired by the title and themes of Robinson’s landscape, Weir’s work explores the passage of time – past, present, and future – as embodied through movement.


Weir’s choreography is a masterstroke, her dancers an exquisite testament to the Pre-Professional Program’s nurturing of talent. It is clear that Weir has formed a deep connection with the dancers, coaxing them beyond the boundaries of their technical training to explore something much more personal and emotional.


Robinson’s Creation landscape – the ancient trees find their reflection in another ethereal section of the program, where dancers are dressed in delicate veils, giving the impression of woodland spirits from another time. It’s a work of haunting beauty– an invitation to simply be in the moment, to appreciate the world around us in all its wondrous, fleeting glory.


But if we are to speak of Weir’s work in the singular, we must not forget the other choreographers on the roster. Each choreographic segment ties back to Robinson’s work in unique and captivating ways. Paul Boyd’s contribution, with its more modern approach to partnering and geometric movement, adds an element of rhythmic sharpness to the evening’s otherwise fluid and meditative tone. Louise Deleur’s piece, too, brings a sharp, almost acrobatic quality to the stage, challenging the dancers to stretch the boundaries of their physical abilities in ways that are thrilling to watch.


And then, of course, there is Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra – whose live music on stage adds a layer of intensity and lyricism to the event. The musicians seem to interact with the dancers in a way that is utterly transformative, creating a palpable sense of collaboration between all parties. The ebb and flow of the strings and woodwinds serve as a heartbeat to the evening, drawing the audience deeper into the experience with every note.


The sheer audacity of Soirée is remarkable. This is not simply a performance; it is a conversation between mediums, between artists, and between eras. The dancers embody the paintings as if they have stepped out of them, creating a rare and unique experience that blurs the line between what is real and what is imagined.

And the evening’s finale – the Grand Défilé – a breathtaking procession of the Academy’s seven levels of students, is a triumphant celebration of talent, discipline, and the beauty of the human form in motion. It is an undeniable reminder of the power of young artists, and the promise they hold for the future of dance.

Soirée is a testament to the boundless creativity of Queensland’s arts scene, and to the extraordinary talent of the Queensland Ballet Academy.

Soirée runs from 5 - 7 December 2024 at the Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre.
Photography: David Kelly

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