Sequin Overload

One of the RNZB's dancers in full flight during an Ihi FrENZy performance.

Ballet Concierto's poster pic.

Basically, I'm not a balletomane. Never have been, never will be. Tutus, point shoes and insanely predictable routines do not float my boat. So, why, then, would I ever go to the ballet? Why then, did I go to Ballet Concierto on Friday night? Well, I CAN marvel at the incredible dexterity of the dancers. I have struggled to dance well for...about 18 years now - ouch! I've never sat down and worked that out before! - and I still can't claim to have anything but the most basic level of technique. Tragic! I find it unbelievable to watch someone spring out of the floor like it's a bloody trampoline, or somone lift their leg to their head repeatedly without even the faintest hint of pain. How?! How many hours of training?

But it's not just that. A lot of companies are now touring with ballet pieces strongly influenced by other dance forms. Some of the Royal New Zealand Ballet's seasons in the last few years have been quite innovative - I was blown away by Ihi FrENZy. The RNZB joined forces with Te Matarae I Orehu, a 40-strong Maori performance group from Rotorua. Choreographer Mark Baldwin created a work of art in motion, which he put to the music of Split Enz. I went on Friday night hoping to see the Argentinian company do something similar - they advertised the evening as a fusion of ballet and tango - I was anticipating fury and passion! Boy, was I disappointed. Their first work, Pulsaciones, was by far the best of the evening. An interesting stacatto cheography was constrained only by the limited breadth of the music - repetitive percussion was the sole accompaniment. I was left thinking 'interesting, but...'. What followed was three yawn-inducing pas du deux - and it looked like they'd found the costumes in a kids dress up kit. Sequin overload: a great way to make a good costume look tacky, and a bad costume die a painful death. Ballet Concierto redeemed themselves to some degree with their last piece, Destino Buenos Aires, which did in a small way deliver what the advertising originally promised - a bit of steamy tango, some fantastic lighting, and a lot of manly jumps. No relief in terms of the sequins though. Come on, guys, what were you thinking?!