ENTERING A FOREIGN LAND

ENTERING A FOREIGN LAND


Lisa Sterne

The transposition of a dance work from the rehearsal space to the stage is always interesting and often a magical process.


I was able to observe this work (which is collaboration between international guests Daniel Renner and Rodney Kasandikromo; Flatfoot Dance Company and B-Boyz Preston “Kayzo” Kyd and Craig “Miz” Katts) in process.

In rehearsal, one does not see the green lights or the down lights on the stones- which bring such a different element to the dance. Choreographer Daniel Renner’s instructions “Observe, watch and react” rang in my ears when my eyes darted around as soon as there was any lack of unison between the dancers.

The skill to watch and move with another dancer while you are moving is an important skill to master for a dancer ( and expected in a professional dancer) appeared to be lacking in the first half of the piece. This could be due to the tricky timing of the music; the change in choreography so near to the performance date and the fact that the dancers dance in front of mirrors in the studio, which act as an extra set of eyes for the dancer, but is extremely dangerous when the mirror is taken away.

When watching the final product I felt like I was in an extra terrestrial horror movie. This was due to the green lighting, the high pitched electronic repetitive music, peculiarly spastic, yet extraordinary movements and the stones that reminded me of crop circles. As soon as the curtains opened, the music started and I saw dancers rapidly moving their feet sideways, while their bodies floated across the stage. I felt like I was entering a foreign land. A land is where hip-hop and contemporary meet and create a spaghetti-like, angular, yet strong style of dance.