Ann Mossop, Head of Public Programs, on DV8’s World Premiere

Run, don’t walk, to see DV8 Physical Theatre, playing until Sunday only.

DV8’s extraordinary show Can we talk about this? is the most interesting discussion of multiculturalism, racism and political correctness that you will ever see. Accessible, witty, and hard hitting, in a brilliant blend of text and movement, it dramatises and brings to life a crucial political issue. Like in David Hare’s verbatim theatre piece Stuff Happens, performance illuminates complex political events with key people thinkers, politicians, activists – brought to life on stage by amazing performers.  Built around a series of incidents in the culture wars in Britain and Europe around multiculturalism and political correctness, from the Satanic Verses to the film Submission the words of people like Salman Rushdie, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Theo Van Gogh as well as a host of British politicians leap off the stage to show, as well as tell, a confronting truth. If fundamental freedom of speech, human rights and equality  are not compatible with ‘multiculturalism’ as it currently plays out in Britain, it is ‘multiculturalism’ that needs to change.

More info

A Special Preview: DV8’s Can We Talk About This?

Returning to Australia after 10 years, one of the great dance companies, DV8 Physical Theatre will premiere their newest work about freedom of speech, censorship and offence at Spring Dance 2011.

Conceived and directed by Lloyd Newson, Can We Talk About This? uses real-life interviews and archive footage to examine influences on multicultural policies, press freedom and artistic censorship. We’re thrilled to be able to share this trailer of Can We Talk About This? with you.

DV8 – Can We Talk About This? opens on 25 August. Get your tickets here…

Tuesday Treat

We think Thom Yorke can dance!

It may look like he’s cutting loose with some interpretive dance moves, but this music video for ‘Lotus Flower’ was delicately choreographed by Random Dance’s Wayne McGregor. Enjoy! – Dance at the House

The discomfort zone

Lloyd Newson wants his work to ask big questions, “How do we create a more integrated society? How do we also respect and take the best of different cultures?” and if his audience is a bit uncomfortable, Newson will be satisfied he has succeeded … The Australian’s Jean Hannah Edelstein interviews the award-winning director-choreographer…. read on

These guys are good…

Chunky Move has earned an enviable reputation for producing a distinct yet unpredictable brand of genre-defying dance. Their emerging choreographer series, The Next Move, is facilitating the creation of new voices in the Australian dance landscape. I Like This was the first commission under this initiative. This playful and engaging work, created by Byron Perry & Antony Hamilton, will feature in Spring Dance 2011. Enjoy this sneak peek – Dance at the House

Tickets available from $35

CHUNKY_MOVE

►

“… a beautiful, beautiful piece” Wendy Martin on Monumental

Watch this short yet mesmerising snippet of Ros Warby’s solo work, Monumental. Wendy Martin talks about first seeing the piece and wanting to bring it to Sydney Opera House.

Set to a hauntingly beautiful cello score by Helen Mountfort, and integrating film projection by Margie Medlin, Monumental promises to be one of the most visually exquisite pieces in the festival this year.

Tickets are still available!

Out of Context – for Pina wins Canadian Dance Award

Congratulations les ballets C de la B for winning yet another award! Here’s a verbatim from their website on the show and its success. We can’t wait to welcome the company to Sydney in August! – Dance at the House

After being hailed as ‘Produktion des Jahres’ (Production of the Year) in Germany and ‘Spectacle de l’année’ (Show of the Year) in France, Out of Context-for Pina has also won the Canadian Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production in dance.

In Out of Context-for Pina director Alain Platel uses a language of movement connected to the unconscious, the uncontrolled: spasms, teeth chattering, grimacing, balance impairment and the whole repertoire of silly walks. Together with the nine virtuoso dancers, who are working with him for quite some time now, he is searching for the tension between the wide range of uncontrolled movements and the traditional choreographic elements, between unconscious and superconscious.
The performance had its première in January 2010 in Kaaitheater (Brussels), followed by an international tour from New York to Taipei. In October 2010 Out of Context performed at the Harbour Front Center in Toronto (Canada), where it convinced the jury of the Dora Awards to be nominated for Outstanding Dance Performance 2011. The Dora Awards are the annual Toronto Performing Arts community awards which recognize the best of dance, theatre and opera over the past season performed in Toronto.

Out Of Context – Sydney Opera House

►

Israel Galván in an Australian Premiere

Wendy Martin, curator of Spring Dance 2011 talks about flamenco superstar Israel Galván, plus a sneak peak of what to expect from his Spring Dance performance, La Edad de Oro.

ISRAEL GALVAN_V2

►

Like what you see? Book tickets here: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/la_edad_de_oro.aspx

Spring Dance 2011

Welcome to Spring Dance 2011

This year Sydney Opera House will present some of the world’s most important contemporary dance artists including a thrilling series of firsts. The UK ’s DV8 presents the world premiere of Lloyd Newson’s latest work; for the first time in Sydney, the revered Belgian choreographer Alain Platel presents his acclaimed company les ballets C de la B. Australian audiences will be introduced to Israel Galván, the daringly innovative Flamenco artist from Seville; London’s Fevered Sleep will take young audiences into the enchanted world of The Forest and two Australian works acclaimed by critics around the world come to Sydney – Ros Warby’s Monumental and Chunky Move’s I Like This.
I encourage you to join us for this rich mix of dance alongside a program of films and discussions honouring the legacy of the late Pina Bausch, plus an exceptional program of masterclasses and more.

Wendy Martin
Curator, Spring Dance 2011

Spring Dance 2011

►

Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances Meryl Tankard cannot be in Australia to participate in the Spring Dance program. Her planned guest appearance in Out of Context – for Pina was an addition to the production. Please be aware that there is no compromise to the C de la B presentation.