2 ONE ANOTHER - SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland
13/11/2014 - 15/11/2014
Production Details
AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE AWAY SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY RETURNS!
Auckland Live presents
Sydney Dance Company
2 ONE ANOTHER
Australia’s leading contemporary dance company Sydney Dance Company makes their long-awaited return to Auckland, with their multi award winning internationally acclaimed production,
2 One Another, for 4 shows only from November 13 – 15 at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre Auckland Live.
“Sydney Dance Company at the peak of their powers.”– Sydney Morning Herald
This stunning show, choreographed by Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, has enraptured audiences across the globe and been recognised with multiple awards including Most Outstanding Choreography, Most Outstanding Performance by a Company and Most Outstanding Female Dancer (Australian Dance Awards 2013), Best Ensemble and Best Female Dancer (Green Room Awards 2012) and Best Female Dancer (Helpmann Awards 2012).
Beautiful, dynamic and highly physical, 2 One Another is performed by 16 of the best contemporary dancers in Australia, including multi-award winning Charmene Yap (2014 and 2012 Helpmann Awards, Best Female Dancer in a Dance/Theatre Production; 2013 Best Female Dancer, Australian Dance Awards), Gisborne-born dancer Alana Sargent, and her fellow New Zealand School of Dance graduates, Thomas Bradley and Jesse Scales.
The showis the result of an exciting collaboration between Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director and choreographer Rafael Bonachela, set and costume designer Tony Assness, and composer/music director Nick Wales, with poetry by Samuel Webster.
An exultant and sensual study of human interaction and relationships, 2 One Another explores the couple (2), the individual (One), and the group (Another), in ‘A thrillingly fluent piece that maintains its vibrancy over its hour-long journey” (Sydney Morning Herald).
The performance is set against a stunning digital backdrop of motion design and animation and features an exceptional soundtrack – seamlessly embracing Baroque to electronica – shot through with poetry fragments created and utilised during the development of the work.
2 One Another premiered in Sydney in March 2012, and has since toured to every state and territory in Australia, in addition to nine cities across North America, South America and Russia. In 2015 the show will tourto Europe and return to South America.
‘Exceedingly fine and exciting, beautifully crafted to integrate sound, design and choreography’
– Adelaide Review
SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY performs 2 One Another
13 – 15 November at 7.30pm and Saturday 15 November at 2.30pm
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
Book at ticketmaster.co.nz or 0800 111 999
Duration: 65 minutes
MEDIA CONTACT
For more information, images or interviews contact:
Michelle Lafferty / michelle@elephantpublicity.co.nz / 09 3684180/ 027 2956450
ABOUT SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY
Sydney Dance Company is Australia’s leading contemporary dance company, employing a full-time ensemble of sixteen dancers from around Australia and overseas, led by Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela. In 2014, the Company celebrates its 45th aniversary. For more information about Sydney Dance Company and 2 One Another go to www.sydneydancecompany.com.
Choreographer
Rafael Bonachela
Production & Costume Design, Creative Direction of Screen Content
Tony Assness
Lighting Design
Benjamin Cisterne
Original Music
Nick Wales
Text
Samuel Webster
Dancers: Chris Aubrey, Juliette Barton, Thomas Bradley, Chen Wen, Holly Doyle, Janessa Dufty, Cass Mortimer Eipper, Fiona Jopp, Bernhard Knauer, Paul Knobloch, David Mack, Alana Sargent, Jesse Scales, Todd Sutherland, Jessica Thompson, Petros Treklis, Charmene Yap
Sound
Adam Iuston
Costume Design Consultant
Peter Simon Phillips
Costume Maker
Fiona Holley
Screen Content Designed and Produced by
Iloura
Executive Producer: Alastair Stephen
Design Director: Finnegan Spencer
Producer: Simone Clow
Lead 3D Artist: Kanin Phemayothin
65 mins
A stunning and incredible performance
Review by Kerry Wallis 14th Nov 2014
Choreographer Raphael Bonachela identifies three types of human interactions and relationships within his creative process for this work for Sydney Dance Company – The Couple (2), The Individual (One) and The Group (Another). Right from the moment the curtain raises you are aware of this concept through the literal representation of formation. The minimal lighting draws your focus in to the gestural movements done in complete silence, yet showing straight off the bat that this company will not take anything less than perfection and exact unison.
The entire work evolves from ensemble work to trios, duets and solos like a well-oiled machine and the change in ‘who is on stage when’ is often unexpected. This works well for the piece as I am left watching intently for the entire duration. It is clear that the dancers are highly skilled athletes and the strength and intensity within each movement is incredible to watch. No one dancer is a favourite as I feel that I am watching a Company of Movers, which is a refreshing experience. Their sustained jumps and movements are breathtaking and their impeccable use of floor phrases leaves me wanting more.
A highlight of the piece is a strong male duet performed alongside strobe lighting (to introduce new lighting states and to acknowledge previous ones) and harsh punk-rock music. The dynamic shift is a revelation and one that I was not expecting. There are plenty of other strong moments which tend get lost in a sea of repetitive movements that highlight the flexibility and acrobatic skills of the performers, so it is wonderful to see such a different approach to the ‘relationship conversation’ with a male dominant energy.
Lighting is a leader for ‘2 One Another’ with fantastic design skills by Tony Assness and Benjamin Cisterne. An LED wall fills the back of the stage and as there is white dance mat on the stage the lighting is able to fill the entire space. At times, the LED seemed pointless alongside the action of the dancers however as there is no reference to any meaning behind the LED wall you are able to draw what you like from the experience, which, overall was executed brilliantly.
Interspersed throughout the beautiful sound score by Nick Wales are whispered parts of poetry by Australian poet, Samuel Webster. This element of the production is perfectly thought out and I enjoy watching the play in relationship that the dancers have to the music and lights.
A costume change to vibrant red leotards over half way through the hour-long performance is slightly disturbing as the only shift you sense is coming is a lighting state change to bright red. The previous costuming in unique body hugging styles of deep blue is much more striking and could have been maintained for the duration of the piece.
Overall, it is a stunning and incredible performance. I am captivated by the entire experience – and that is what it was – an experience. Not a narrative dance but an exploration of ideas that allow the viewer to draw whatever meaning they feel best describes the performance.
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