Australasian Dance Collective is celebrating their 40th anniversary, and to celebrate, their latest work Blue is an exquisite triptych reflecting something old, something new and something borrowed.
Opening night commenced with the ever eloquent speaker, CEO Amy Hollingsworth on stage with her predecessors, company founder Maggi Sietsma AM and successor Natalie Weir. Together they represent Australia’s only performing arts company exclusively led by female artistic directors.
Weir’s 2013 piece, When Time Stops is the first presentation, with Guest Artist Riannon McLean reprising a role she helped to create. She is joined by the ADC company dancers and Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, playing live onstage, suitably barefoot to match the dancers.
Iain Grandage’s emotional score punctuates the piece, where we meet ‘The Woman’ at her moment of death. Jack Lister represents ‘The Ferryman’ complete with on stage boat. The piece explores the concept of life flashing before one’s eyes, and the moments where time seems to stop. The 25 minute excerpt is a tender and poignant way to start the night.
At the centre of the night is something new, Glass Teeth by Melanie Lane. Featuring the core ADC company of six dancers, this work, for me, is the highlight of the night.
Glass Teeth is a new commission and is described as a work that represents the company as it stands today. And what a thrilling place that is. This is the Australasian Dance Collective I love: stylish, edgy, and brimming with a wicked sense of fun. Glass Teeth strikes that perfect balance of joy and drama, performed with a palpable love for the art form.
The six company dancers are Sam Hall, Lilly King, Jack Lister (also Associate Artistic Director), Taiga Kita-Long, Lily Potger, and Georgia Van Gils. They work together as a tight unit here, yet standout in their own ways. This is in part due to the gorgeous costumes designed by local fashion hero Gail Sorronda. Each dancer wears a black, bespoke design which draws inspiration from Greek mythology and seminal visual artists. The result evokes a futuristic, twisted fairytale vibe, as the dancers embody figures of dream messengers.
Glass Teeth itself feels like a work with three distinct parts. At the centre of piece we see the backdrop lift and the stunning neon lighting washes from Ben Hughes accentuate the dancers’ black silhouettes. UK music producer and long time collaborator Clark’s electronic compositions perfectly underscore the piece.
Glass Teeth culminates with Van Gils grappling with Lister, who is an undeniably commanding presence in this work. The rest of the company loom in the shadows, controlling long hair plaits that extend from the back of Van Gils’ head. The stress dream scenario reduces Van Gils to a foetal position, speaking in tongues. It might sound like the stuff of nightmares, but it’s a deliciously delivered dream.
The final work of the night, something borrowed, is In your rooms by Hofesh Shechter. Premiering in 2007 in London with Hollingsworth in the original cast, the piece explores the chaos and conflict of human emotion. It is remarkable to watch the dancers blend together as a group, dressed in what is best described as civilian style clothing by Elizabeth Barker.
Ben Hughes lighting punctuates the drama with constant blackouts, lending an almost cinematic quality to the piece. The six company dancers are joined by Stager and Guest Artist Sam Coren, and 19 year old Hayley Corderoy, a member of ADC’s inaugural pre-professional program. (Te Atawhai Kaa dances in alternate shows.) Corderoy more than holds her own among the professionals, with the eight dancers’ synchronicity on outstanding display.
The season of Blue is short, but unmissable for dance lovers and anyone passionate about supporting the artform. As Australasian Dance Collective celebrates 40 years of bold, boundary-pushing work, this triple bill is a fitting tribute — honouring the past, embracing the present, and dancing confidently into the future.
Australasian Dance Collective’s Blue runs until 17 May at the Playhouse, QPAC.
Tickets: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2025/australasian-dance-collective-blue
Website: https://australasiandancecollective.com/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/australasiandancecollective/
Photo credits: David Kelly
