Limbs Dance Company

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 4

Limbs Dance Company

Limbs Dance Company at the James Hay Theatre, October 8 and * at 8.15 p.m. Running time two hours. Reviewed by Ele Stephenson. Limbs looks back, and continues brilliantly forward to international acclaim. This anniversary progamme is a celebration of 10 years of this company’s achievement and growth. An audibly appreciative audience were enraptured by the vitality and dedication of this talented company. “Poi,” set to original music by a Wellington composer, Jack Body, featuures an updated presentation, choreographed by Mary-Jane O’Reilly, focusing on interweaving Polynesian rhythms with contemporary dance. This artistic work opened with the graceful poi movements and progressed through elements of harmony and contrast The of the forest and authentic bird X heightened the intensity of this performance by the full company. ‘■Faun Variations,’’ choreographed and danced superbly by Douglas Wright Sited to the Emotions of the audience not a man performing but was " rSnn Wis expressive body movements frSn one precise contortion to with of ffEn g half man, halfy animal. The

response to this was electric — Christchurch cheered. Mark Baldwin, a foundation member of Limbs, and now the principal dancer with Ballet Rambert, choregraphed “October Mountain.” Baldwin demonstrates his ability to guide a group of dancers through varying forms whilst maintaining contact and continuity. A combination of self-rhythms and tempo, enjoyed by the dancers, makes one proud to have a contemporary company of this calibre. Costumes were simple and effective as too were the lighting changes which enhanced the mood and tenderness of inter-relationships in the choregraphic process. "Hey Paris” — choreography, Douglas Wright An ultra-modern version of the original apache dance which leaves us wondering “just who wears the pants.” Danced with impudence and humour by Debra McCullock and Douglas Wright The programme concluded with a vital and skilfully performed work, “Quartet” Danced by Douglas Wright Glenn Mayo, Marianne Schultz and Catherine Chappell, this piece gave a fullness of style which filled the stage with speed and precision. A whimsical excerpt spiced with humour: was appreciated vocally by a capaciti house.