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The Next Wave - Fifteen: Vicissitude |
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Written by Deborah Wong
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The
Next Wave 2007 was a fitting way to mark the 15th
year anniversary of the NUS Dance Ensemble. The dance showcase which
ran over two nights provided solid entertainment courtesy of the pronounced
display of impeccable technique by the dancers.
Needless to say, hooked was swept away...
With
a lineup of 7 items and one guest performance by the Methodist Girls'
School dance group, the audience was served a diverse platter of dance
genres, as this year's dance showcase involved the contribution from
an increased number of external choreographers and undergraduates.
The
night opened with Eternal, a piece first debuted by Victoria Junior
College and choreographed by renowned choreographer Shahbirul Zaki Ahmad
(Zaki). It set the tone of the night by highlighting the Ensemble dancers' technical competency
and fluidity of movements.
Next
up was one of my favourite pieces of the night, Dyscordia by Julihanna
Annuar and Shaun Lee. Bizarre, angular and noisy, it was nonetheless
captivating.
Like a grotesquely deformed object, the dance item effectively
prevented one from diverting his/her attention elsewhere and embedded itself
deep into one's consciousness, differences in interpretation of the
dance notwithstanding.
Truly original, it serves as a befitting introduction
to post modern dance. Much kudos ought to be given to the dancers for
their ability to pull off the item without making it appear contrived.
The
conclusion of that dance item also unhinged the seemingly smooth transition
of one dance item to another in the lineup that had occurred until then.
The concert moved into unchartered territory with its next item in the
lineup, The Cosmic Warriors, a modern interpretation of traditional Indian
dance techniques by Kavitha Krishnan. The haunting music and the eerie
use of red light cemented the success of this piece.
In
a sudden twist of mood, there was a hip-hop item, Enter More Black and
White, by Ryan Tan from O School. Displaying amazing versatility, the
Ensemble dancers captured the spirit of hip-hop with their amazing energy
and sleek moves.
Another
two of my favourite pieces were next in the lineup - Unsung by Dan Kwoh
and Swan Park by Xu Jie. Both were conceptually strong items with an
interesting interpretation, and the common thread between both was
the high standard of technical skills on display.
Unsung invoked the
use of theatrical props to create a visual spectacle. The highlight
of the dance was when the dancers emerged from behind white translucent
banners with stockings over their head that my friend aptly likened
to the act of mozzarella cheese being pulled.
As for Swan Park, the
unusual costumes and slight dramatization of the item were the defining
characteristic of the piece.
Rounding
up the night was Samsara, by Zaini Mohammad Tahir, resident choreographer
and founder of The Dance Ensemble. It first made its debut at Hybrid
Moves the week before. Involving most of the members of The Dance Ensemble,
it was a grand ending to the night, emphasized by the dancers' swirling
gold costumes, which was testament to the ingenuity of the company.
Overall,
the concert served to validate the status of the NUS Dance Ensemble
as a versatile dance group that is dedicated to showcasing new talents
and original work. Equally notable was the uniformity of execution amongst
the dancers throughout all the items.
The only grouse I had was the length of each dance item, which was sapping the enthusiasm of the
audience by the time the climax of each neared. However, it
was a thoroughly enjoyable night and I will definitely be looking forward
to the 16th anniversary of The Next Wave. hooked
Not satisfied with just the review? Check out our interview with the man behind The Next Wave here!
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