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Immersed
Presented by: Collaboration the Project
Venue: Forum Theatre
Reviewer: Lisa George
Date Reviewed: Monday, 22nd June 2009
In its inaugural year, Immersed is a celebration of Dance by various
dance groups. Dance Companies, Dance Groups, Melbourne’s finest
choreographers through to Full-time performing arts students came
together to showcase Melbourne’s elite. Performed at the Forum
Theatre was magical. The theatre just oozes sophistication and added
a striking background to what was an already exciting atmosphere.
Paul Malek from Collaboration the Project was the creator of
Immersed. His idea was to show what Melbourne could offer the dance
scene and bring together Melbourne’s Dance industry to celebrate
dance in its purest form.
With Rhonda Burchmore hosting the event, the audience was surely to
be entertained; and they were. Rhonda added a touch of class and
sophistication. Who could have asked for a better host? Her opening
number “When your good to mama”, was a Fosse inspired number,
choreographed by Dana Jolly. Four strong male dancers accompanying
her gave the number the elegance that Rhonda exudes. Burchmore stood
out as the seasoned performer that she is, giving younger audience
members moments of inspiration throughout the show.
The dance potential displayed in Immersed came from the great up and
coming talent in Melbourne, with a lot coming from Full-Time dance
establishments. These were; The Edge Performing Arts; Jason
Coleman’s Ministry of Dance; Victorian College of the Arts secondary
School and Danceworld Studios. The schools all showed commitment and
an abundance of Talent. Victorian College of the Arts Secondary
School was particularly inspiring with their routine “I will get
there” with impressive patterns, shapes and excellent technique,
very inspiring indeed. The Melbourne dance scene will be healthy for
many years to come after seeing how brilliant these upcoming
students are.
One of the crowd favourites was Rhythm & Runners. They offered a
hard hitting, humorous, energetic Tap and Hip Hop styled routine
which simply left you saying “WOW’. The routine was highlighted
with body percussion enjoyed by both genres. It was choreographed by
the brilliant Phillip Haddad.
Aqua Adagio by Retina Productions was a pas de deux piece that was
awe inspiring. It had everything from effective costumes, water
projection as a back ground to fantastic choreography by Glenn
Birchall which left you spell bound. Both the male and female
dancers showed amazing strength and control in the many lifts
throughout the number.
A piece named Amazon choreographed by Lockhart Brownlie was also a
favourite of mine. It had a mixture of Jazz and Hip Hop which
blended well. The routine featured some of Melbourne’s best dancers
which Lockhart’s choreography highlighted.
The hip hop scene in Melbourne is certainly alive and kicking. With
routines by Dance 2XS, choreographed by Naomi Kiara Valodia and
Beatphonik choreographed by Alvin De Castro, keeping up with the
latest moves and style. Both routines were extremely well polished
and featured light humour with soundtracks that featured a blend of
current and old school hits keeping you entertained, leaving you
wanting more.
The Contemporary in tonight’s performance was a focal point. There
were some award winning pieces shown by Vertical Shadows and
choreographed by Stephen Agisilaou which used unique patterns and
movements. Other highlights were Love handles choreographed by
Brendan Yeates which was accompanied live by Louise Kelly and Simon
Roborgh. This added extra feel to the routine. Also I would like to
make special mention for the choreography by Kim Adams. She is well
and truly one of Melbourne’s emerging young choreographic talents.
Her choreography stirs certain emotions with her dynamic feel.
Rhonda Burchmore closed the night with another number choreographed
by the brilliant Dana Jolly. She wore a stunning gown and featured
those magnificent male dancers once again in “Diamonds are a girl’s
best friend”. This made for quite an entertaining close before
Collaboration performed a aptly named number called “Joy Joy Joy”,
which expressed the exact feelings dancers experience when they
perform. What a way to close the evening!
Lisa George (nee Hanneysee) has been a Dancer, Dance Teacher,
Examiner and Adjudicator for the greater part of her life.
Specialising in Jazz, Funk, Tap and Musical Theatre, she has taught
at some of the top schools in Melbourne. Lisa owns her own dance
school - That Dance Place. As a professional dancer she has
travelled the Asia and Australia dancing and entertaining for the
past 15 years.
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