Enjoy a night under the stars at Ballet at the Quarry: Light and Shadow
A gorgeous outdoor setting under the stars, beautiful music and state-of-the-art choreography – what more could you want? Ballet at the Quarry: Light and Shadow is a night of magnificence and grandeur, perfect for anyone who enjoys ballet and magical storytelling.
Split into three short dance works, this performance allowed a very contemporary license. It begins with renowned Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy's Air and Other Invisible Forces, with the dancers dressed in stunning costumes by Australian designer Akira Isogawa and accompanied by hauntingly beautiful music from Giya Kancheli.
This powerful work is fittingly described as a connection between east and west, filled with innovative dance sequences and allusions to Asia and the West. The dancers were simply stunning, with their seemingly perfect moves provoking thought and emotion throughout the entirety of the work. I was in awe of their perfectly sculpted bodies and refined technique, and can only imagine the hours of hard work that went into developing their incredible strength and skill.
Likewise, Architecture of Hope is a dreamy, beautiful work, choreographed by Wubkje Kuindersma, who also designed the stunning costumes. Principals Dayana Hardy Acuna and Juan Carlos Osma truly owned the stage with their breathtaking connection – both with each other and to the audience as well. To convey such emotion and feeling through choreography is a skill that not many possess, and at times I unexpectedly felt myself tearing up. The audience was truly drawn into the mesmerising dancers’ journey throughout this work, and I can see why Kuindersma has been listed in Dance Magazine’s ‘Top 25 to watch in 2019’.
To finish off, set to the fun, familiar music of Bach, choreographer Krzysztof Pastor’s In Light and Shadow was much more upbeat than the other works and an entertaining way to end the show on a high note. With a magnificent kaleidoscope of patterns and breathtaking duets, In Light and Shadow was fantastic neo-classical choreography.
“This work doesn’t follow any story narrative. The only hint as to its interpretation is in the title In Light and Shadow, a reference to the brilliant play of light and shadow in great Baroque paintings.” – Krzysztof Pastor
Ballet at the Quarry: Light and Shadow was a gorgeous performance. With the utmost hospitality from WA Ballet held at the incredible open-air venue of City Beach Quarry Amphitheatre, you won’t want to miss out on this unique ballet experience this season.
