DANCE REVIEW: Elysium — 4 dances of bliss and seduction, transcendence and joy from Cape Ballet Africa
At the Baxter Theatre, Cape Ballet Africa brings together four stellar choreographers and four fabulous dance pieces in one fantastic programme.
Cape Ballet Africa presents a program titled "Elysium" in Cape Town until October 10th, featuring four distinct dance pieces that embody bliss, seduction, transcendence, and joy. The production opens with George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante, choreographed in 1956 to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 3. This 13-minute classical ballet showcases the elegance and grace of ballet, as well as its ability to convey emotion through movement.
Following Allegro Brillante, Cape Ballet Africa presents Kenneth Tindall's new work, We Met at the Moon, Briefly. Tindall collaborated with the Cape Town dancers for two weeks, during which they practiced barefoot on the beach to foster authenticity. Set to music by Bryce Dessner, Gustave Rudman, and Max Richter, this piece combines athleticism and graceful technique, featuring a captivating pas de deux.
The third dance in the program is the acclaimed Remanso by Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato. Inspired by the Spanish poet and playwright, García Lorca, Remanso explores themes of peace, reflection, and tranquility. The three-man ballet incorporates mimed gestures reminiscent of silent comedy and surrealist art, using a square wall as a metaphor for the complexities of life.
Michelle Reid concludes the Elysium program with her whimsical and sophisticated choreography, Duende. Reid's work combines wit and emotive gesture, providing a fitting acknowledgment of the international choreographers featured in the production.
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