Trilogy

Triple bills (the presentation of three shorter original works in one evening) have been on the international ballet agenda for quite some time now and what is so inviting and invigorating about this genre is not only the diversity of entertainment on display but also the platform it creates for choreographers and composers alike to express a personal creative journey, untap passions and explore realms of the unknown.

This couldn't be more apparent with Australian Choreographer Jack Lister's creation, A Brief Nostalgia, an abstract work unveiling elements of the psyche associated with our memories: a multi-dimensional vista where he says, to quote, "feeling something, knowing something, then letting it drift away again"; and "Lost is a lovely place to find yourself". Though dark and foreboding in content, what impressed me the most about this presentation was the sheer grandeur and complexity of the staging and visuals: it really takes you to 'another place' in true theatrical style. Moreso, the intricate contemporary score by Scottish composer Tom Harrold is quite unlike anything I've ever heard before and having worked as a musician with dancers and choreographers in the past I'm sure creating and rehearsing this work was a mammoth, time-consuming task. Performed by Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Music Director and Principal Conductor Nigel Gaynor, this difficult score well-captured the essence of the choreographer's vision, the opus being, overall, quite an overwhelming but mesmerizing experience.

In complete contrast, Rooster, the second presentation, by renowned international Choreographer Christopher Bruce, is a visual interpretation of a selection of The Rolling Stones early hits, using their original recordings and lyrics as inspiration for depicting life in the 60's and 70's, the time of his youth. Set on a bare stage, this delightful and humorous work effectively demonstrates a talented choreographer at work, interweaving chauvinistic young men at play with various bemused females and creating a superb interplay of imagination, colour and unique choreography. It is indeed, as he says, "a battle of the sexes"! This kind of presentation was one aspect of dance that drew me into their world (another personal form of 'nostalgia'!) and a work that is yet another 'must-see' for those who aren't necessarily fans of dance as a form of entertainment.

The final production is Choreographer and European Artistic Director Cathy Marston's beautiful depiction, through dance, of the 1901 novel written by Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, My Brilliant Career. Written when she was only a teenager and set in outback NSW, it's quintessentially a story of teenage dreams and aspirations and the effect they have on the lives and loves of those in close surrounds. Being complex in nature and diffused with uncertainty, the central character, Sybylla, is played by two dancers (Syb and Bylla) both expressing their sometimes conflicting emotions through well-crafted movement. Personally I have certain reservations with ballets relating a story purely through movement so there is some reproachment in my appraisal here, but it does lead me on to stress the importance of how well a production is presented: in this instance, it was the high standard of professionalism from the dancers and their characterizations, including the designers and production crew, that generally enhanced the experience for me. Additionally, composing a 45 minute ballet score from scratch is no easy task so praise must go to Matthew Hindson for a score deftly capturing the atmosphere and character of the work and assisting in moving the story along. Also, Nigel Gaynor's musical direction kept the orchestra and dancers well on track in a tight and accomplished performance.

With eleven years at the helm, Artistic Director Li Cunxin's vision to put Queensland Ballet on the international stage has truly come to fruition. I can't focus on any particular dancers in this review because, with perhaps a minor exception or two and also it being predominantly an evening of ensemble work, all of the dancing in the performance I viewed was of such a high standard both in technique and characterization it eludes me from further discussion on the subject.

After this performance, the Artistic Director made a public announcement that due to health issues, also within his family, he has decided to step down at the end of the year. This came as a shock to us all as he has done a remarkable job in assisting in the growth of the Company, including the world-class refurbishment of the Thomas Dixon Centre, setting up the Academy, QB's training institution, and contributing to the arts in Queensland.

I think it is safe to say that the Queensland Ballet can only go from strength to strength from here on and will hopefully continue to attract international acclaim in years to come.

Brian Adamson

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