‘Dead Ballerinas’

Press, 19 April 1985, Page 4

‘Dead Ballerinas’

“Dead Ballerinas" and “Bon Voyage,” presented by Paul Jenden and Louis Solino at tbe Southern Ballet Theatre, April 18 to 20, 8 p.m. Running time: 90 minutes. Reviewed by Heather Campbell. Both these works could come under the heading of dance drama rather than dance. As dance drama they are excellent theatre. In “Dead Ballerinas” we are exposed to the more undesirable aspects of ageing — in this instance, a sad fact of life. For dancers whose work and lifestyle have not encompassed a wide set of experiences, Jenden and

Solino show that the loss of dance ability can be devastating. Dressed in classical costumes, with bag-like masks they present incongruous images. The choice of past dancers showed contrasting styles, from the traditional Sylphides to the basic convolutions of the Martha Graham technique, sharp and adamant. The portrayal of Isadora Duncan epitomises the freedom in dance that became fashionable and necessary to the lifestyle of contemporary society in her era. “Bon Voyage” is the story of two persons saying good-

bye. This work runs a spectrum of emotions ana is enacted with sensitivity. They show us, as humans that when we are sad, anxious, or bewildered we so often react by being perverse, manipulative and utterly bewildered by our intensity of emotions. It is a compassionate work. Paul Jenden and Louis Solino have an extensive background in dance, having studied with several of the internationally known schools based in New York. In view of this it was disappointing to be denied the opportunity of seeing greater dance passages.