Mixed reception in U.S. for Limbs

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 12

Mixed reception in U.S. for Limbs

By NZPA staff correspondent, Hugh Neville, in Washington. The Limbs Dance Company has met with mixed reaction in America. "New York Times” urged the nine dancers to return. The "Washington Post” damned them with faint praise. The dancers performed in Mexico and danced in

Haiwaii on their way home. The “New York Times” review described their performance at the Riverside Dance Festival as “enterprising” and “talented.” However, the “Washington Post” critic, Alan Kriegsman, was less kind. But manager Sue Paterson told N2.PA. the company had changed its repertoire between New York and Washington, and was much happier with it. Mr Kriegsman described the company as “relatively provincial”, although "engaging” and “well trained.” But he said that “the dance idioms are, for the most part, tamely eclectic.” Attempts to relate the repertoire to New Zealand folkways and Maori traditions seemed superficial and contrived. “The major problem is an

affliction that besets many troupes in many places, large and small choreographic anemia. “From the sampling shown at the dance place one would have to conclude that Limbs simply lacks a strong enough repertorial base to make more than an agreeable but minor impression.” The exception, Mr Kriegsman said, was a solo called “Pinprick,” rivetingly executed by Joanne Kelly, whom he described as the outstanding dancer in the group. “Knee dance” was a cut above the usual. The rest of the fare, he said, including the “simplistically macho “warrior,” calisthenic “poi” and popimage “souvenirs,” along with a negligible pair of duets by other choreographers seldom rose above workshop level in either concept or design.”