By Tanya Batson-Savage, Staff Reporter
Folktales', one of the NDTC's new works for 2003, which was choreographed by Clive Thompson. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
HOW MUCH you enjoy the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) 2003 season, at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive, St. Andrew, will probably depend on the night you go to watch it.
Last Saturday's performance was an interesting, textured show, touching on religion, love and life. It was superior to the one they had opened with.
The performance included three new works, two active pieces and a revived piece. The show opened with 'Folktales', which was choreographed by Clive Thompson. The dance is a beautiful and imaginative potpourri of different styles all done to a background of wonderfully arranged Jamaican folk songs.
The difference between the music and the dance styles (which included dancehall) brought an interesting twist to the idea of 'folktales'. Again as with most of the dances, 'Folktales' featured wonderful costumes, created by Arlene Richards. Richards, the group's ballet mistress, is both a principal dancer and the main costume designer.
'The Beloved', which had also been featured in the opening night repertoire, also made an appearance on Saturday. This time the intense duet was performed by Arlene Richards and Kevin Moore. The Lester Horton piece is a very dramatic look at a dysfunctional, upper-class couple whose relationship ends in disaster. It seemed to be a particular comment on the fate of women who live with unfeeling, dominating men.
'Tintinnabulum', choreographed by the group's artistic director, Rex Nettleford, looked at the lives of three men from birth to death. They were born together, and died together, though their lives took them on different paths. The dance also included the men's relationship with their mothers, who were played by Arlene Richards, Stacey-Lee Fowles and Natalie Chung
Their development from boys to men was interestingly crafted and Marlon Simms, Arsenio Andrade and Abeldo Gonzalez played them very well. Gonzalez showed that his increased girth has not affected his dance, since his performance was rather impressive. Marlon Simms and Arlene Richards who played mother and son, were a great combination, seeming to bring out each other's strengths.
Another active work included on the programme was 'Labess', choreographed by David Brown. Like Tintinnabulum, Labess is an engaging combination of good choreography and strong dancers. Labess, however, depended more strongly on group precision, rather than individual performances.
'Of Sympathy and Love', choreographed by Clive Thompson, is another of the new 2003 pieces. The dance has two parts, first featuring Jesus and then Lazarus as he arises from death.
The second half, however, was far stronger, getting more in tune with Lazarus's re-awakening. While one was able to assume that it was Jesus being depicted, the message was not very clear.
The night ended with 'Pocomania', Rex Nettleford's revived work. The piece gives an extended and impressive peek of the Pocomania religion. It is performed by the entire company and the NDTC singers.
The company's repertoire also includes 'Bird Song', 'Cave's End', 'Ritual of the Sunrise', 'Brazilian Ode' (choreographed by Rex Nettleford); Clive Thompson's 'Woman Song' and 'Ave Maria Ave-A'; and Arsenio Andrade's 'Epilogo' and 'Congo Laye'.
