Artistic director Rafael Bonachela has said that he wanted his latest full-length work to represent both momenta – the plural form of momentum – and moments.
For this scribe, momenta also encapsulates The Butterfly Effect – not the band, the idea that a small butterfly flapping its wings could, hypothetically, cause a typhoon. In momenta’s case, Bonachela’s choreography often explodes from a tiny gesture, which ripples out to impact the movement of fellow dancers. The reflective stage surface further emphasises this ripple effect, when dancers’ shapes bounce back.
Creative transitions abound throughout this series of tableau come to life. Complex lift sequences are so controlled in their execution that dancers appear to be performing underwater. Chloe Young’s precise, clean lines regularly pull focus.
momenta
- Sydney Dance Company
- Choreographed by Rafael Bonachela
- 8 – 12 October | Playhouse
- $45 – $100
- Tickets here
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Physical touch during duets and trios often mobilises specific body parts and initiates pathways through space. This whole company’s expansive movement vocabulary must be a joy to create on – acro moves included. During unison sections, these dancers breathe – and vocalise, as demonstrated throughout momenta – as one.
Damien Cooper’s masterful lighting design expertly directs our focus, sometimes silhouetting the dancers as we marvel at their sheer breadth of movement.
A circular lighting rig of 19 spotlights patrols the stage – an imposing presence. This structure – which Bonachela reveals, during his post-show speech, has affectionately been christened Tina – moves every which way, carving up the performance space.
When a burst of white cloud suddenly appears, suspended in mid-air, audience members audibly gasp.
In tight formation, the Sydney Dance Company ensemble’s gestural, unison arm work is meticulously executed. Metallic silver ticker tape rains down on the company before momenta closes solo, with Dean Elliott’s sliding floorwork never falling short of perfection. Every single nuance is performed with deliberate intention.
Momenta runs until 12 October at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne.
