Fair Game
27 March - 30 March 2003
Earl Arts Centre Launceston
03 April - 05 April 2003
Collegiate Performing Arts Centre Hobart
Choreography by
Natalie Weir: Fair Game
Phillip Adams: Doubting Lakes Edge
Writer: Carmel Bird
Composer: Hope Csutoros
Violinist: Sarah Curro
Lighting Design: Joseph Mercurio
Set & Costume Design: Greg Clarke
Graphic Design: Kieran Bradley
Rehearsal Director: Natasha Middleton
Dancers: Craig Bary, Trisha Dunn, Lisa Griffiths, Malcolm McMillan, Jason Northam, Tania Tabacchi and Joanne White.
"one would be hard pressed to find two such different and original takes on the same source material anywhere else"
Chloe Smethurst, The Dance Insider, April
"visually and viscerally disturbing, yet imbued with tenacity"
Lee Christofis, The Australian, March 31
"Tasdance can't put a foot wrong"
Suzie Bower, The Examiner, March 29
Inspired by a chapter in Tasmanian history, Fair Game explores themes of entrapment and confinement leading to physical and intellectual release, interpreted by choreographers Phillip Adams and Natalie Weir.
The lithograph E-Migration or A Flight of Fair Game, with its maps and water and women depicted as butterflies flying blind to a Hobart harbour brimming with be-netted males is the source of inspiration for this project. Author Carmel Bird researched stories and histories such women, who were to arrive and become horrifically labeled "contaminated" and "experimental cargo".
Natalie Weir has worked extensively throughout Australia, creating work for most of the nation's major classical and contemporary dance companies including Australian Dance Theatre, the Australian Ballet, and both the Queensland and West Australian Ballet companies. Her work is internationally renowned.
Phillip Adams worked in New York for over a decade before returning to Australia to establish his own company, BalletLab. Several leading theatre and dance companies have commissioned work from Adams, including Arena Theatre, Chunky Move, Dance Works and Guongdong Modern Dance Company in China. In August 2003 Adams was Artist-in-Residence at the Tanzwerkstatt Berlin and Rotterdam School of Contemporary Arts.
The Fair Game production includes original music by Hope Csutoros of My Friend the Chocolate Cake and Cosmos Cosmolinos. Innovative set and costume designer Greg Clarke adds a deep textural element to the work with rich set dressings. TasDance celebrated the world premiere of Fair Game during Ten Days on the Island, 2003.
Education/Schools Suitability: Suitable for ages 10 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: July - December 2005
Touring party: 7 dancers, 3 crew ‹10›
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 10 x 8m, sprung floor, tarquet, theatre access 1.3m W, 2.1m H