Retrospective tour by Limbs dancers

Press, 19 March 1986, Page 22

Retrospective tour by Limbs dancers

“An opportunity to see Limbs Dance Company perform its classic works of the last decade with live strings accompaniment.” That is what Limbs offers dance lovers with its February-March presentation "Melting Moments,” a major retrospective scheduled to play in the four main centres. Vivaldi concertos played by string sections from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Wellington Regional Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Dunedin Sinfonia will accompany the sculptural “Halcyon,” choreographed by Douglas Wright. In Auckland and Wellington the String

Quartet of these orchestras will also accompany “Melting Moments,” choreographed by Mark Baldwin in 1980 to a Dvorak score. The dance is a lyrical, smooth-flowing modern-day exercise in adagio partnering. The conductor will be William Southgate. The company is supported by the merchant bankers Fay Richwhite and the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New Zealand.

“Live music represents an exciting first for Limbs Dance Company. I feel the immediacy and vitality of live music can add to the memorable quality of major dance works,” says Mary-Jane O’Reilly, Limbs’ artistic director.

Another highlight is “Saga,” renamed “Cargo,” a work of the same vintage choreographed by Mary-Jane O’Reilly. Jan Preston, who wrote the score, is well-known for her days in Red Mole and Coup d’etat. She is now composing and performing in Sydney.

Further contributions to the programme are “Reptile,” an old favourite from 1978, choreographed by Mary-Jane O’Reilly to a jazz score by Kenny Burrell, and the hypnotising “Ranterstantrum,” choreographed by Douglas Wright to music by Glenn Branca.

The Christchurch performance will be in the Theatre Royal on March 26.