SPORT MEETS DANCE IN NEW WORK FOR SYDNEY’S WEST
"Whatever del Amo is investigating, it is done with a ferocious and meticulous attention that is a lust to discover, uncover and reveal." - Real Time
Western Sydney Dance Action premieres Martin del Amo’s new work, MOUNTAINS NEVER MEET, an extraordinary exploration of the point where sport and dance connect. This energetic dance work playfully challenges what dance can be and who can be a dancer.
Choreographer Martin del Amo joins forces with footballer-turned-performance-maker Ahilan Ratnamohan and collaborates with eight untrained male performers from Western Sydney. Del Amo's and Ratnamohan's working relationship dates back to 2008 and is marked by their shared interest in the use of sports training within a dance and performance context. They have collaborated on each other's projects in the role of consultant and mentor respectively and now Ratnamohan is integrally involved, both collaborating and liaising with the other performers in this new work.
The choreographic approach to making MOUNTAINS NEVER MEET stems from a series of questions: What if we reduce the movement material to walking and its physical relatives – standing, lying, skipping, running and jumping on the spot? By simplifying the movement material yet retaining a maximum level of complexity in relation to time and speed, MOUNTAINS NEVER MEET is an exploration of how the simplest of rules can produce infinitely complicated results.
The performers, aged 15 to 28, are a mix of hip hop dancers from various crews, sportsmen, students and even engineers. They come from areas including Campbelltown, Punchbowl, Fairfield, and Bankstown. Del Amo selected them for this ambitious project from auditions held over a number of weeks. The cast of performers includes Frank Maino, Benny Ngo, Kevin Ngo, Mahesh Sharma, Ravin Lotomau, Nikki-Tala Tuiala Talaoloa, Carlo Velayo and Dani Zaradosh. With original music and soundscape by Cat Hope and lighting design by Clytie Smith.
Ratnamohan will also perform with Connor Van Vuuren in the accompanying piece DUEL - a short duet inspired by memorable sporting battles, reflecting their astonishing physicality and tactical brilliance.
Del Amo and Ratnamohan will be tweeting throughout the rehearsal period leading up to the performances and are inviting people to follow them on twitter. WSDA Twitter is @wsdadance
Produced by Performing Lines, the pieces are part of the Western Sydney Dance Action (WSDA) and Riverside Theatres Dance Bites August 2011 season featuring 3 weeks of new Australian contemporary dance works.
MOUNTAINS NEVER MEET | Wed 17th to Sat 20th Aug | 8pm
Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres, corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Running time 60 minutes no interval - Tickets: $28 and Concession $25
Dance Bites Season Discount: Book all 3 shows save $5 per ticket.
Bookings online www.riversideparramatta.com.au or call (02) 8839 3399
The August Dance Bites include SIDE TO ONE (Wed 10 to Sat 13 Aug)- a duet choreographed and performed by virtuoso dancers Lisa Griffiths and Craig Bary and Shorter+Sweeter Dance (Wed 31 Aug & Thur 1 Sep) – the ‘best of’ showcase from the iconic dance festival. Visit www.wsda.org.au
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120 BIRDS