Les Presages/Rites

Published Thursday 9 October 2008 at 12:45 by Katie Colombus

It’s not very often that dance companies make overt or sensitive political decisions. But since the recent change in government and the subsequent bringing together of the European and indigenous cultures of Australia, David McAllister of the Australian Ballet and Stephen Page of Bangarra Dance Theatre have joined forces to create an evening of work promising an exciting cultural fusion of western ballet and aboriginal movement.

Aside from the backdrop, Les Presages is a wholly European affair, harking back to the thirties. It’s a lesser known ballet, and while it might not be to everyone’s tastes, this young, vibrant company perform it with verve. Daniel Gaudelio in particular stands out as Leonide Massine’s action man, dancing with precision, aplomb and charm to Tchaikovsky’s score.

Stephen Page’s Rites goes some way to bringing the company together, but whether they are playing it safe or the combination of techniques is too difficult, the sense of expectation outweighs the final product. While this exploration of earth, wind, fire and water is choreographically more stimulating and relevant to a modern audience than an outdated European ballet, there is the sense that more time is needed to break the ballerinas out of their training. While the AB danced in typically gorgeous fashion, the real soul of the show only surfaced in the enigmatic Patrick Thaiday and Elma Kris.