Rites:Dying to Dance
Fun, funny, tender and just like a drawn footy game with a minute to go, will have you sitting in anticipation." Natalie Moir
Rites:Dying to Dance
Basketball, acrobatics, and 'ballsy' comedy meet contemporary dance in this race against time, and each other. A contemporary take on Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, a story of a pagan spring ritual where the chosen one dances to death, the contest has now shifted to an intergenerational struggle, with each player pushing their body to its limits. The clock is ticking, the scores are even, raising the pulse and the heartbeat, as time is literally running out....who is going to lose?
Created by an award winning ensemble of some of WA's most powerful and accomplished dancers; Natalie Allen (Sydney Dance Company, ADT), Laura Boynes (Buzz Dance Theatre), Kynan Hughes (Sydney Dance Company), Stefan Karlsson (SDC, ADT), & Yvan Karlsson (Steps YDC) working in collaboration with Director Sally Richardson and sound designer Joe Lui, this is an inspired and unexpected view of the world of competition.
Creative Team:
Director: Sally Richardson
Performers: Natalie Allen, Laura Boynes, Kynan Hughes, Stefan Karlsson, Yvan Karlsson
Sound Design: Joe Lui
Reviews:
RITES was filled with whimsy and humour yet also displayed how competitive we are and how hard we struggle to stay in the game. Loved the movement and the mix of 80's soundtrack with Stravinsky!. I think this work is my fave! (Audience member)
If you get the chance I definitely recommend checking out this show. Fuelled with amazing physical performances and hot victory dances. Have not laughed so much from a show in a very long time! (Audience member)
Rites, by Sally Richardson is ballsy, figuratively and literally..Richardson takes the original theme (from Rites of Spring) of ritual sacrafice and transposes it on to a familiar, contemporary setting, the world of ball sports.The whole thing is shot through with a serious dose of fun. We're welcomed to the court, introduced to the five players and encouraged to drink plenty of water. Ball boys and ball girls are selected. Dribbled basketballs mark the rhythm to the rousing strains of Eye of the Tiger. It's not solely about humour, though, and towards the end a powerful scene sees a lone player (Stefan Karlsson) subtly threatened by the other four as he prepares to shoot for goal. Against the original menacing score, those basketballs sound more like tribal drums. Another memorable moment, also dark, is performed by the youngest member of the cast, Yvan Karlsson. Dancing a gritty solo he rises to the challenge. Manipulating a tennis ball with careless ease, he writhes with the energy of a young dog. One can almost hear the growl..(Nina Levy, The West Australian)
Timeline:
2014 RITES premiered 4 February 2014 at FRINGEWORLD
Additional Links:
Awards:
First Runner Up - City of Perth Dance Award - 2014 FRINGEWORLD AWARDS
PARTNERS:
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