Nine

December 2, 2011 at 8:20 am | Posted in Musical Review, Show Review | Leave a comment
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I went to the Whitireia’s production of the Tony Award winning musical Nine, the other night. The show is an opportunity to show case the it’s graduating musical theatre and commercial dance students. The show had excellent production values and clever use of lighting, back production, and props.

Warning: plot elements discussed.

I was surprised at how sophisticated it was; for some reason I expecting something a bit lighter and humorous. Instead, it was dramatic: as it explored the facets of the main character – Guido Contini. Nine is a semi-biographical portrayal Federico Fellini’s – the famous Italian film director – life. At times it was almost operatic.

The whole show revolves around the Guido character and Nick Purdie carried the show well – displaying on stage maturity that belied his relatively young age. Guido is under a lot of pressure, as his personal life falls apart, and his reputation is assaulted by a series of ‘flops’. He takes refuge at a seaside spa to get away from it all, but on ends up running head on into his problems: his mistress Carla ends up leaving him; his decease mother (played by Caitlin Barrie comes to him in visions; he needs a film plot; and his muse deserts him too.

The seductive ‘telephone’ scene featuring Carla was ably handled by Bridget Connor as she sang and draped herself over the stage and Guido. The emotional duet between Guido and Claudia (played by Bethany Gould) was wonderful – there was a real sense of connection between the “director” and his favourite actress (and muse). In the end only his wife (played by Emma Walker) comes back to him.

In between all the singing are – true to the show’s Broadway roots – dance sequences. At times there was a Bollywood feel to it.

At the end of the show, I felt a bit exhausted from Guido’s emotional journey through his life and the encounters with his women. But Whitireia was ready with a happy fix. The night ended with a little upbeat dance piece Be Italian!. The transition into the dance was a bit of uneven and I think the transition could be smoothed by changing the choreography slightly and introducing the dance piece as one of Guido’s films.

Well done everyone.

Disturbia: a Tale of Terror

October 8, 2011 at 11:40 pm | Posted in Ballet Review, Dance Review, Recital Review, Show Review | 2 Comments
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Last night, I went to see the Whitireia (Institute of Technology) Year One Commercial Dance students’ end of year production. It was fun and I really enjoyed it.

The evening began with an energetic tap version of the Time Warp from Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was a very clever homage to an iconic show, and set the tone nicely for the rest of the evening. The foyer being decorated like a graveyard also helped set the scene!

The whole horror theme was put to good use with a number of UV pieces – the dancing Skeletons were particularly effective.

Two individual performances stood out: the Black Cat solo and the doll in Reflections.

Reading the dancers’ bio.s in the foyer revealed that most of them had ballet training, and this showed in a number of pieces – particularly “Spirits”, with some very nice lines and grand jetes. Having two staff with extensive professional ballet experience can’t do any harm either – Anderson and Samblaceno.

From the dancers’ bio.s and watching the performance, it seem clear to me that the standard of dancer and dance has steadily increasing over the last few years – perhaps the benefit of being part of the better resourced Whitireia. The production demonstrated a range of dance styles, including drama (Werewolves), burlesque (Vampires), and even musical theatre (Witches).

Even though it was the last show, the cast – Brianna Coughlin, Cassandra Wallis, Chelsea O’Rielly, Ebony Sushames, Eliana King, Hope Bartley, Jennifer Maxwell, Karis Vernon, Kate Bruce, Kate Holden, Kelly Wisniewski, Laura Vaughan, Melissa Bardell, Michaella Sayer, Natalie, Morris, Natasha Hammond, Olivia Van Den Yssel, Racquel Brant-Partridge, and Rebecca Hulse – poured out their energy and enthusiasm – good work guys.

Whitireia should promote these productions more widely.

Wellington Performing Arts Centre: Amazon

December 6, 2010 at 12:24 am | Posted in Dance Review | Leave a comment
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I went to the opening night of the WPAC Commercial Dance Graduates 2010 graduation shows, last Friday night.

As the name suggests the theme of the show was flora and fauna one might found in the rainforest.

There was a balletic feel to the show – in contrast to the more broadway themed of past shows. It got quite physical at times – swim-throughs, backward walkovers, etc.

There were 24 dance sequences ! This gave the 15 graduates solo (or small group) dances, which were intermixed with a dances involving all of them.

I liked: Bat, Snake, Panther, Fireflies, and Glow Worms. Fireflies used little lights to light up the three dancers and to enhance movement. Glow Worms cleverly used ventilating tubes to create giant orange worms – the clever choregraphy produced a quirky humourous and entertaining dance.

All the dancers seemed to be enjoying themselves; poured lots of energy and enthusiasm into their performance; and acquited themselves well technically.

The audience was very receptive and got quite vocal at times.

I hope lots of people got along to see it. I think the WPAC graduation show is an undiscovered dance gem. Maybe when they move into their new facilities next year, they will get more publicity.

Wellington Performing Arts Centre: 2008 Graduation Season

December 8, 2008 at 8:49 am | Posted in Recital Review, Show Review | 1 Comment
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Dec 7, 2008 by Show_Hanger

Cruisin’ the Strip Las Vegas Style

I went to an evening performance, Sunday the 7th of December, of the Wellington Performing Arts Centre‘s 2008 Commercial Dance Graduation. The programme listed a large creative team, but the web site credited Leigh Evans and Anne Anderson.

This was the graduation for the commercial dance graduates and as the title suggests the show had a Las Vegas theme. I don’t know what commercial dance constitutes, but I guessed that it wasn’t going to be ballet – or was it?

I really enjoyed the short piece – Excalibur – danced by the three male graduates. They looked more like members of Robin Hood’s band, than knights in armour. But there was no doubting their vigor and passion, nor the ballet training. They were armed with swords, rather than sabres, and the clash of swords often rang out from the stage. I was reminded that dancing and its attendent footwork was often taught to young warriers in many cultures.

I don’t get to see much tap dancing – and I found I enjoyed the flashing footwork and rhythm in all of these pieces.

I liked Venetian – a mascarade ball piece, with very dramatic costumes, executed in a balletic style.

I also liked Treasure Island – a piece about pirates done in a cross between contemporary and stage show styles. There cannot be a pirate sword left in Wellington’s toy shops! Still, the choreography was crisp and the use of long strips of silk very inventive – first as waves and later as a ship!!

The evening was a well organised and enjoyable, with 19 dances in all – with no interval! TEven though the dancers worked hard, they clearly enjoyed themselves – lots of smiles – and consequently, the audience was more relaxed and cheered and enjoyed themselves too. Initially, I found sitting so close to the action a little off putting, but I suspect that this was a good run through for the dancers, as there will be times when they are in close proximaty to their audience when they are working. My only suggestion for the producers would be to have a very short welcome and introduction at the beginning so that the first number doesn’t just burst out.

I believe that this is an annual event; hopefulliy I will be back next year.

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