reviewvancouver: Ballet BC

Ballet BC, fresh from a very successful European Tour, commanded the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for the final offering of the 2017/18 season. Program 3 showcases three pieces that strongly complement each other while giving the dancers a platform to display their talent.

Beginning After opens with the melodious and deep strains of Handel’s Giulio Cesare, HWV 17, Son nata a lagrimar. Darkness opens up to a setting of white floor and black backdrops into which a dancer emerges. Clad in shiny black body leotards and bare legs the lighting reflects off the dancers as they flit in and out from the dark background. Solo, in pairs or in groups the dancers work to the music and against the light. The shine of the costumes acts as a mirror, reflecting companion dancers. The theme of Beginning After explores the concepts of memory and truth with Cayetano’s signature exacting choreographed movements.

when you left choreographed by Emily Molnar in collaboration with the artists of Ballet BC uses low lighting to add to the impact of the piece. As eyes adjust to the low light, the audience is drawn into when you left slowly, pulling attention onto the stage while dancers emerge into view, their bodies reflecting and mimicking the sounds of the music and the instruments. Plainscapes performed by the Phoenix Chamber Choir under the direction of Graeme Langager is a powerful accompaniment to the movements on stage. Evocative and hypnotic, pulsing with energy, lighting suddenly turning off and back on, threads of connectivity broken and reconnected, the fragility of our connections to people and places is explored.

Bill performed in May 2016 by Ballet BC for its Canadian Premiere, is as fresh as it was then. An upbeat, lively piece that pulses with energy. The delightful, exaggerated movements of the dancers engage the viewer immediately while the music and soundtrack design of Ori Lichtik spark the mood to dance!

Brandon Alley, Emily Chessa, Livona Ellis, Alexis Fletcher, Scott Fowler, Patrick Kilbane, Racheal Prince, Justin Rapaport, Peter Smida, Christoph von Riedemann, Kirsten Wicklund, Justin Calvadores, Zander Constant, Parker Finley, Kiera Hill, Nicole Ward, Shana Wolfe and Andrew Bartee’s dancing resonated strongly with the audience. An exhilarating program with which to end a successful season.