4Seasons was an experience. The creative vision, the sounds of Vivaldi, the performance, movement, contemporary and expressive dance forms - everything was happening and yet time was slowing down at the same time. But how do you make time slow down and captivate the audience to then take them on a journey which they will never forget? 4Seasons does so effortlessly, making this an unmissable performance running until June 22nd at Queensland Performing Arts Center.
What did this performance do to the audience? Well simply put, it made the audience think, and feel and experience every aspect of the two-part performance in a way that can only be done by the beautiful collaboration between Expressions Dance Company and City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC, Hong Kong). The performance demonstrated a range of dance styles opening with a minimalist style of dance and music which then transformed into a more upbeat dance style and then blossomed into a more emotionally expressive second half that left the audience cheering for more by the end of it.
The opening was challenging in the sense that it tested the patience of the audience, instead of starting with a colourful and upbeat piece it opened with something a lot more gradual and minimalist in theme. As the audience was strolling in to find their seats, they were able to witness the performers on stage moving very gradually in a warm light. As the performance carried on it was clear to see the amount of skill, focus and concentration it took to pull off these very gradual and flowing yet cleverly engineered series of movements.
There was a ripple effect as a performer would move and affect another performer, creating a wave as it continued to affect the others. Another example was when a body was being carried, almost like crowd surfing in slow motion, among the group of performers, and again, the floating yet crafty engineering of movement came through. The perfect example of this very minimalist theme was when there was a more upbeat dance section, however, there was a man behind the performers that was moving ever so slowly in a straight line. Much to my surprise, I only noticed his gradual movement when he was halfway across the back of the stage.
This slow-moving man, walking in slow motion behind these lively performers seemed to represent a timer on human life and the fact that life it is in fact gradual, but constantly moving. It was a very powerful representation of human life and the symbolism was very effective. There was another sequence when this time the barely clothed man was walking toward what appeared to be a block of ice, and this timer effect was yet again used very effectively. It timed the actual dance and acted as a ticking clock in the background.
The second half was very visually stunning and quite the opposite of the first half. Whilst I had been challenged and made to think in the first half, I was unsure what would happen in the second or whether there would be more of the same that I had already seen. Delighted, I discovered that the second half was filled with colour, and not only through lighting, as each performer had a partner in a similarly coloured tone of dress. This was where the 4Seasons really came to life, and not only through Vivaldi’s Four Seasons playing, but through the expression of dance and the beautiful range of colour tones that each male/female couple danced with. There were pale tones from lighter green to pale pink to richer reds and blues. I felt as though this was the finale that the show was building up to and the explosion of colour was a nice surprise.
With passion and unrestrained emotion, this was exactly the ending I was after and made me realise how special the whole experience was from the very start to the very end. The slow moving, gradual and minimalist dance had blossomed into something more, and made me realise that this performance is reflecting what it means to live.
Choreographers
Natalie Weir, Expressions Dance Company (Australia)
Dominic Wong, City Contemporary Dance Company (Hong Kong)
Kristina Chan (Australia)
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
14 June - 22 June
Expressions Dance Company
City Contemporary Dance Company
Review by Joanna Letic
Photo by Cheung Chi Wai