Restless explores dance floor dynamics
InReview
Restless Dance Theatre has again teamed up with Adelaide duo The Audreys for a new show exploring peer-group relationships in a dance floor setting.
In the Balance, opening at Norwood’s Odeon Theatre on Thursday, is performed against a soundtrack featuring songs from The Audreys’ back catalogue, as well as new tracks recorded by members Taasha Coates and Tristan Goodall.
It follows a collaboration earlier in the year when dancers from Restless, an award-winning Adelaide company for disabled and non-disabled artists, appeared on the video clip for The Audreys’ single “Baby Are You There”.
“That’s the nice connection going into this production,” says Restless artistic director Michelle Ryan, who also choreographed the clip.
“They worked really well with the dancers.”
In The Balance will also feature a stylish set and costume design by Gaelle Mellis and Meg Wilson and lighting by Geoff Cobham, all of which Ryan says seeks to evoke a party atmosphere.
It will be performed by 13 dancers aged from 15 to 27, who perform a series of vignettes exposing different – and often awkward – aspects of peer relationships between young people looking for friendship or love.
“It’s a very simple concept about how we interact with each other in a social setting – everything is kind of a balancing act to work out where you fit in a group and the relationships you build with others,” Ryan says
“Sometimes there are difficult situations that arise where people aren’t included … they are issues for everyone, which is why I think people will be able to identify with the work, because everyone is searching for acceptance.”
In the Balance will be the first Restless Youth Ensemble work directed by Ryan, who took up her role as artistic director in 2013 after more than 20 years’ experience in the arts, including a long association with dancer and choreographer Meryl Tankard, former artistic director of Australian Dance Theatre.
Get InReview in your inbox – free each Saturday. Local arts and culture – covered.
Thanks for signing up to the InReview newsletter.
A two-day workshop with Tankard was one of a number of creative development classes undertaken by Youth Ensemble members this year.
“The way I work is very similar to the way I used to work with Meryl, which is getting a lot of the moves from the dancers – that gives them a chance to express themselves through movement,” Ryan says. “Then we put everything together, and I tweak and change things.
“It’s a celebration about what young emerging dancers can do … it’s not a focus on whether you have disability or not; it’s just about having talented dancers.”
Restless Dance Theatre will premiere In The Balance at the Odeon Theatre in Norwood on October 16, with performances continuing until October 24.
Support local arts journalism
Your support will help us continue the important work of InReview in publishing free professional journalism that celebrates, interrogates and amplifies arts and culture in South Australia.
Donate Here
Comments
Show comments Hide comments