Island Inspired 2009
Tasdance presents two contemporary pieces from indigenous choreographers who have worked with the Tasdance ensemble to bring you a rare experience of a fusion of indigenous and contemporary dance.
Friday 3 April at 6pm
Saturday 4 April at 11am
Launceston
Earl Arts Centre
Le Burceau Des Esprits (The Cradle of the Spirits)
Choreography: Sthan Kabar-Louet
Sthan's choreography is a distinctive contemporary Pacific style of movement blending French flair and élan with Kanak rhythms and traditions, creating a sensual, physical and earthy body
language that is unique to his work. The Cradle of the Spirits commands the audience’s attention.
This is an extremely theatrical piece opening with the music of Vivaldi that sets the scene for a work which sweeps from traditional European influences to those of the Pacific islands. Kabar-Louët achieves a work of great beauty though the use of lighting, simple props and sound, most notably when the dancers bathe in tubs of water. The Cradle of the Spirits is inspired by mythical creatures from island legends. Audiences will experience a new choreographic language drawn from a variety of Pacific cultures. A fusion of concerto music and traditional percussion provides the aural platform for the dancers who move through an imaginary world between life and beyond.
Sthan employs a medley of musical works from Colin Offord, Hugues Lebart, Vollenweider, Yamaguchi, Gabrielli and Vivaldi.
KELP
Choreography: Gail Mabo
Gail Mabo’s links with Murray Island in the Torres Strait means that she has a strong personal and cultural relationship with the ocean. In her work KELP she articulates through dance the respect for what lies within the ocean and its significance and value to island cultures. Linking the culture of the northernmost islands to that of the southernmost, KELP brings us a new understanding of our indigenous cultures and an insight into the power of the world beneath the waves. In this collaboration between Gail and the Tasdance ensemble there is a blend of Torres Strait, Aboriginal and contemporary dance that takes us to new places. Gail has used traditional story-telling techniques in the studio and melded these into the creation of KELP.
The dancers’ have accomplished a new and foreign movement vocabulary as a result of the rich exchange of culture. Through rhythmic gesture and animalistic crouching in pools of light the movements draw on the rich and grounded Murray Island tradition. The dancers appear as sea creatures, and their tentacled hairpieces defy gravity like fantastic alien organisms that move on their own. The music resonates throughout with a drumming and hypnotic allure. With her visual arts background Gail has brought a rich palate to the costumes and design elements, working closely with Costume Designer, Odette Arietta-Shadbolt and Lighting Designer Darren Willmott.
Gail has integrated sections from a composition for her work Koiki by Steve Francis with tracks by David Bridie and a strong drumming section from Korean band Gongmyoung.
Artistic Personnel
Artistic Director: Annie Greig
Choreographers: Sthan Kabar-Louët and Gail Mabo
Tasdance Ensemble (The Cradle of the Spirits): Floeur Alder, Carlie Angel, Malcolm McMillan, Anthony Trojman
Tasdance Ensemble (KELP): Floeur Alder, Carlie Angel, Joel Corpuz, Sthan Kabar-Louët, Malcolm McMillan, Anthony Trojman, Tanya Voges
Set and Costume Designer: Odette Shadbolt with Gail Mabo
Lighting Designer: Darren Willmott
Rehearsal Director: Trisha Dunn
Composer: various
Production highlights
Tasdance premiered this production in 2009 to critical acclaim as part of International Ten Days on the Island Festival in Tasmania
Education/Schools Suitability
Suitable for ages 7 and above
Media Quotes
“Mabo’s KELP was visually arresting and most interesting when closest to the shapes of Torres Strait and Aboriginal dance, with flexed feet, elbows and knees, the deepest of
pliés and animal and spirit references.”
Sthan Kabar- Louët in The Cradle of the Spirits was …“admirably unsparing in the pace and intensity.”
Deborah Jones The Australian 7/4/09
“Gail Mabo’s work KELP immediately transports us to the brave and vibrant world…a rich and grounded vocabulary…at times the dancers seem out of their comfort zone, but like us they are in new territory and loving it.”
Sara Wright The Examiner 6/4/09
“This work (KELP) resonates with glimpses of storyline and dance that draws us in, through its dramatic drumming and hypnotic allure.”
“(The Cradle of the Spirits) sweeps from traditional European influenced movements and music to traditional Pacific Islanders…The imagery is beautifully realised….”
“Both these works are very accessible to all audiences and represent a successful collaboration for both choreographers and the dancers.”
Kylie E Eastley Tasmanian Times 5/4/09
Photos - The Cradle of the Spirits
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Photo credit: Jen Brown
