As the curtain rises we see a selection of The Australian Ballet's dancers, facing upstage, Jiří Kylián's masterful choreography morphing bodies into the shifting tides of Forgotten Lands. Every note of Benjamin Britten's Sinfonia da Requiem is interpreted through the articulation of movement and this showcase of pure beauty is over too soon.
Executing William Forsythe's In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated requires extreme athleticism. Thom Willems' severe score complements the difficult transitions designed to challenge classically trained bodies and minds; limbs repeatedly deviating from natural pathways. The company dance with vigour and add these challenges to their movement vocabulary, making it all look effortless.
The unison achieved throughout DGV© (Dance á Grande Vitesse) is a credit to repetiteur Jason Fowler. Perfectly complementing Christopher Wheeldon's dynamic-yet-weightless choreography, Jean-Marc Puissant's costume and set design somehow also channels the majesty of Michael Nyman's score. And during the curtain call, we marvel at every painstakingly stitched detail on each multi-coloured bodice.
Three vastly different masterworks, all demanding intense concentration and virtuosity from these world-class dancers who display strength, grace and power on tap. Only two slight slips prevent tonight's triple bill from achieving absolute perfection.
