It’s 14 degrees in Sydney. Today I was supposed to be in Noumea … but it is erroneous to think you could get a visa from the French consulate in a day, so instead my flights are being rearranged and I am profiting from the Sydney climate with many pairs of socks, jumpers and a good thriller.
I have, however, also profited from Sydney culture. I was fortunate to see the Sydney Dance Company’s second to last performance of New Creations 2. What a treat! It was also the second to last performance by Amy Hollingsworth who is retiring from the stage. She performed a duet by Bonachela with violinist Ruth Palmer called Irony of Fate, a work which won the third prize in the 19th International Competition of Choreographers in Hanover in 2005. I thought she was sublime. The second work by Bonachela I also enjoyed. Soledad is a very latin style duet, also an award winner at the 2006 Biennale Danza e Italia international competition for independent choreographers. The matinee was performed by Lachlan Bell and Annabel Knight. I thought they danced it beautifully and romantically and intensely. It is the sort of duet that is very open to interpretation by the dancers. It would be interesting to see how different casts wear the style and choreography. The third work in the program, Satisfying Musical Moments, was by Emanuel Gat. Wow. Quite extraordinary. An amazing feat of structure and composition. Stunningly performed by the whole company. Brilliantly costumed. Hats off, I say.
The night before I was a little underwhelmed by Gaff Aff, a gimmick and slapstick driven piece of theatre. Although it was full of imaginative devices and ideas they could not adequately sustain the hour for me. And the sound was too loud.
And now I wait with baited breath to find out if my visa is granted and I am flying to Noumea this week!
Signing off in Sydney.