Limbs dance

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 18

Limbs dance

The nine-member Auckland dance company Limbs will be fresh from an international dance experience when they perform in Christchurch’s James Hay Theatre on November 9 and 10. The dancers will have just returned from a fiveweek overseas tour in which the company’s best dances from the past three years were showcased. Venues included the Riverside Dance Festival in New. York, the Cervantes Festival in Mexico City, the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, and the Jones/Ludin Dance Performance Space in Hawaii. Limbs were last in Christchurch for the 1984 Christchurch Festival, performing in the Hagley Park concert, the Festival Cabaret, and the James Hay Theatre. Since the festival Limbs have toured the North Island with their “Souvenirs” programme, held a major choreographic workshop with Australian Graeme Watson, and prepared for their overseas tour. Their efforts to raise tour funds were complemented by a grant from the Department of Internal Affairs., Limbs’ programme for their shows in Christchurch — presented in association with the United Building Society — includes dances from the “Souvenirs” programme and from their

international showcase. The artistic director, Mary-Jane O’Reilly, is a major contributor to the programme, with “Drum Dance,” “Pep haps Can” and “Souvenirs.” A dancer, Australian Garry Lester, co-founder of the company Chris Jannides, expatriate Paul Jenden, and Graeme Watson are all featured choreographers. The Christchurch programme will include the work of From Scratch percussionists Wayne Laird and Don McGlashan. As members of From Scratch these musicians also played at the Christchurch Festival and were recently acclaimed by critics at the 1984 Edinburgh Festival. The tour to the United States and Mexico is Limbs’ seventh overseas tour since 1979. The latest trip came from invitations because of Limbs’ reputation gained through other overseas appearances. Importing choreographers is another way to break down the artistic isolation of New Zealand. During his series of workshops for Limbs Australian Graeme Watson choreographed two dances. One is a 15-minute solo for former New Zealand Ballet dancer Joanne Kelly. Mr Watson’s second piece, “Contact,” is for the entire company. He draws on body mannerisms as the theme of the 22-minute dance.