Members of The Company Dance Theatre perform 'Phoenix' at the Company's 21st Season of Dance at the Little Theatre on Sunday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Dance shows in Jamaica are usually well supported, often by relatives, friends and fellow dancers. For the relatives, it is sheer pleasure to see that family member or friend onstage. Their impulsive reaction is to scream out his or her name, regardless of the inconvenience it may cause.
While there was much of that on Sunday at The Company Dance Theatre's '21st Season of Dance' at the Little Theatre, the show will be remembered for high-energy performances from the dancers, wonderful choreography by Pedro Bosch, and some great moments in the Tony Wilson pieces. Wilson and Bosch were the two choreographers for the approximately two-hour long show.
The show comprised six dances, with new choreography by Wilson called 'Ode to The Duke - Duke Ellington'. With a smack of brilliance, the dance, divided into three movements and choreographed to Ellington's music, begins with an up-tempo beat but shifts to a slower beat by the third movement. Thus, it seemed to capture Ellington's story. The grey and black unitard-costumed dancers skilfully displayed the range of moods in each segment, from celebration to romantic, to a sombre ending.
The remaining five dances came from The Company's repertoire. They included 'Calabash' (1999), 'The Phoenix' (2005), Rejoice in 'The Cloud -
HIGHLIGHTS
The wonderful formation and graceful extension of bodies by the dancers were the highlights of Rejoice in 'The Cloud - A Poem for Esmie'. Trixi MacMillan and Richard Dell led the company in the five-movement dance. They, too, moved with beauty and grace but seemed to lack the chemistry required in the second movement. On the flip side, staggering the entrances of the dancers in the third movement was fantastic and the celebratory actions provided great entertainment.
Both 'Phoenix' and 'Calabash' were performed in the second half of the show. It was with these two dances that Wilson's choreography shone the brightest. 'Calabash' is divided into five movements and varies in the number of dancers. Enhanced by colourful costumes, a decorated backdrop and a set (a ramp placed up stage), it was the most spectacular of the lot. It also presented a kaleidoscope of different dance steps, including Indian and traditional Jamaican dances.
'Phoenix' rose beautifully from the ashes of the 2005 season to claim its place in 2009. Beginning with a duet performed by Shari Jackson and Lindesey Lodenquai, and later joined by six dancers, the dance was a demonstration of timing, beautiful arrangement and excellent reach. The performance was further complemented by red, grey and off-white costumes.
But the night really belonged to Pascal Schmidt. Diminutive in stature, the very talented dancer gave the perfect interpretation to Bosch's 'Nature Boy' and 'Viajeros'.
Intense interaction
Pascal Schmidt and Selena Silvera dance in 'Viajeros'.
Wearing full brown in 'Nature Boy', he moved effortlessly from one sequence to the next. His intense interaction with a brown bench was captivating, and he received the loudest applause for the evening.
In 'Viajeros', Schmidt was joined by Selena Silvera. The chemistry between both flowed freely. Their intention was clear when they entered, Silvera draped like a rag doll across Schmidt's back, both wearing black and white. They entertained the capacity-size audience into silence. But when the dance ended, the audience repaid them with sonorous vocal appreciation. The only flaw in both dances was their length. And, as the curtains came down on The Company Dance Theatre 21st Season of Dance, it was hoped that next year would be even better.