Whimsically wonderful - truly a wonderful
night of thoroughly entertaining dance. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
INTRODANS aren't novices to the stages of
Jomba! as they have partnered with Flatfoot Dance Company to create several
dance works in the past. Friday night's performance, Wonderland, saw the Holland based dance company flaunt their
contemporary technique in six dance works ranging from 5 to 30 minutes in
length.
The first piece was titled The Debate, choreographed by the company’s
founder Ton Wiggers. The choreography establishes a pas de deux dance battle between the sexes. The music resembled the
percussions sounds of Classical Indian Kathak which made for appealing viewing
on this powerful, short display of fluttering dance.
The second piece, Three, choreographed by Robert Battle (artistic director of Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theater) used a very different techno beat and showcased a
more energetic and bouncy style that thrusts us into a 'muscular jam session'.
There were vast contrasts between the duets and the solos and more attention
was spent on complex hand and feet work.
The third work, a solo entitled Ella, was the second of three pieces choreographed
by Battle. This fast-paced, high energy, jazzy routine was very theatrical and
animated. The soloist was remarkable in commanding the vast open stage and
filling it with loads of stage presence and pizazz. The open movement is
rousing and inviting. In his third piece, Takademe, Battle creates another solo
but this time fusing contemporary and classical Kathak dance styles. While the
footwork resembled that of Kathak the hands and arms were more free and
ferocious. The rhythm was very angular and followed the Kathak form.
The fifth piece, Malasangre, was choreographed and designed by Cayetano Soto. The
spotted lighting design danced along to the samba rhythms accompanied by the
duets of the dancers. The sultry music was paired well with the sensual
choreography and exciting lifts. The choreography was crisp, clean and
confident. I particularly enjoyed the costumes designed by Soto.
The last work, Black Cake, was choreographed by Hans van Manen and saw all 12 of
the dancers on stage. It was a delightful way to cap the night as it was more
quirky and lighthearted in relation to the five pieces that preceded it. The
piece was gentle and provocative while elegant and drunk all at the same time.
It was almost like a sexy tango that showcased the strengths of the dance
company. It was truly a wonderful night of thoroughly entertaining dance that
reminded us of classical ballet technical but at the same time charting new
territories in dance movement and fusion. - Verne Rowin Munsamy
Posts
