Dance: Underground

BY STEPHANIE-KATE BRATTON

As a first-time dance-goer, I was nervous at the thought of watching an hour and a half of contemporary dance – but I shouldn’t have been. UNDERGROUND was an enjoyable performance thanks to its clearly defined characters, explosive choreography and a realistic set.

“It’s an excellent show for people who have never seen dance,” says director Gavin Webber. “The vocabulary of movement is simple ‘ falling, running, catching ‘ they’re things that everyone can understand.” And he’s right. The plot was easy to follow and the characters were easy to relate to ‘ who doesn’t know what it’s like waiting for a train’ The space for UNDERGROUND was intimate and the music dynamic. Humour is not what I was expecting from contemporary dance, but the performance was witty and entertaining.

Also on offer on the night was a surprise pre-show by the Sydney Dance Company, which featured strong dancers and spectacular choreography, but it was difficult to define the characters created and the inability to relate ultimately left me disinterested. In contrast, UNDERGROUND featured clear characters that the audience could sympathise with ‘ people you sit next to on the train every day ‘ and gave an insight into human nature through dance and humour. Webber says he ‘wanted people to be able to take things seriously, but also to laugh… so it’s constantly changing, and it is very humorous.’

If you are heading out to Carriageworks, be sure to wear a coat (the foyer is freezing cold and the fan in the performance turns the space into a wind tunnel), and make sure you wear comfortable shoes because the pre-show is standing room only. Parking is available on the grounds at night. And above all, the performance offers a great introduction to contemporary dance and a humorous insight into weekday commuting.

Underground
Until November 2
Performance Space, CarriageWorks
245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Prices from $20 to $30