Divine Harmonies
Three dynamic new works exploring time, growth and spirituality
Parramatta Riverside Theatres
June 21 - 23 at 8pm
Bookings at Riverside Theatre on 02 8839 3399
Portland Arts Centre
June 26 – 27 at 8pm
Bookings at Portland Arts Centre on 03 5522 2263
Colac COPACC
June 29 at 8pm and June 30 at 12 noon
Bookings on 03 5232 2077
Mildura Arts Centre
July 4 at 8pm
Bookings at Mildura Rural Council on 1800 039 043
Swan Hill Harrison Theatre
July 6 and 7 at 8pm
Bookings at Swan Hill Regional Information Centre 03 5036 2444
Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre
July 12 at 8pm and July 13 at 1pm
Bookings at DECC on 6420 2900 or online at www.decc.net.au
Artistic Director: Annie Greig
Choreography:
Sue Healey: It Was Time
Anna Smith: Momentary
Shaun Parker: Divine Harmonies
Composer: Ben Walsh
Music: Hildegard and Meredith Monk
Lighting Design: Darren Willmott
Costume and Set Design: Greg Clarke
Graphic Design: Kieran Bradley
Rehearsal Director: Carol WEllman
Dancers: Trisha Dunn, Malcolm McMillan, Jason Northam, James Shannon, Tanya Voges and Carol Wellman.
"This exceptional Tasmanian company is deserving of far greater exposure on the mainland with its fresh and appealing style."
Hilary Crampton, The Age, June 20 2005
"Collectively and individually they (the dancers) display theatrical maturity, and deliver performances that are simple, truthful and understated, yet also deeply layered and strongly connected to their material."
Robert Jarman, The Mercury, June 24 2005
"Three exciting new works by the best choreographers in the country showcased the talents of the Tasdance company and left the audience wanting more."
Suzie Bower, The Examiner, June 17 2005
Divine Harmonies is an exciting production containing three dynamic works exploring time, growth and spirituality: featuring the choreography of Shaun Parker, Sue Healey and Anna Smith.
The signature work for the Divine Harmonies season is by choreographer Shaun Parker and is a modern-day, liturgical dance-drama inspired by the musical works of Hildegard Von Bingen. Through her works, Hildegard, sought to alleviate human suffering, both physically and spiritually, and spoke much about the varying polarities of men and women. Divine Harmonies observes the placement of these philosophies in our modern-day life. Robert Jarman says of the work: Divine Harmonies does fly. But it is not showy, not flashy. Rather, its flight is painful, majestic, ecstatic, compassionate.
Sue's work, It Was Time, is fun and quirky and plays with time. The music is sourced from op-shops in Launceston and manipulated by the genius of Ben Walsh, giving the dancers a temporal landscape to delve into. This piece is clean and sharp exploring the issue of time from duration to rhythm to warping and glitching. Hilary Crampton says of the work: The tightly grouped dancers gesticulate - their precise actions seeming simultaneously familiar and strage - then break out into contrasting actions.
Anna Smith employs Judith Wright's poem Gum Trees Stripping as a point of departure and makes reference to the wisdom of age, utilising the analogy of bark on a eucalyptus tree, a skin that reveals a history that often outlives our own. Hilary Crampton describes this work as "raw beauty" while Jarman says: The highly developed theatrical sense of Anna Smith has shaped work which is compelling, keenly sensitive, mature and, dare I say, profound.
Designer Greg Clarke contributes to the integrity and cohesion of the three enthralling works while the lighting by Darren Willmott added depth and clarity. The stunning and athletic Tasdance ensemble of Trisha Dunn, Malcolm McMillan, Jason Northam, James Shannon, Tanya Voges and Carol Wellman.
Education/Schools Suitability: Suitable for ages 13 and above
Other activities on offer: Workshops with local schools, both education and private as well as interested community groups.
Duration: 80 minutes with interval
Availability: 2007 May onwards
Touring party: 6 dancers, 3 crew (9)
Versatility: 4 shows weekly with 2 school matinees, or 5 full performances. Full or split week buys
Bump-In Lighting: 2 crew, 1 day
Bump-In sound: 1 at 4 hours, no bump out
Bump-Out Lighting: 1 at 4 hours
Tech specifications: stage 10m x 8m, sprung floor, tarquette
