Attitudes in Arabesque

Thanks to Squishy's last minute invite, I picked up a pair of complimentary tickets (although I used just one for myself) to a ballet performance 'Attitudes in Arabesque’ by Australian-based Duprada Dance Company at the Drama Centre, who made their inaugural appearance here in Singapore.

The Company's dancers are classically trained and perform works from well known classical repertoire to the more contemporary and commissioned works that inspires and develop the art form of dance. As a first introduction to a ballet performance, I held no expectations and thus allowed myself to be immersed in their undulating tempo of classic toe-pointing routines and upbeat leaps. While individually talented and sport amazingly graceful postures, the dancers could have faired better as a group. Or perhaps seating 4 rows from the stage made me scrutinize the performers more strictly. The only male dancer, Hamish McGauchie, was the eye-candy in the otherwise all-female cast, providing excellent strength to the principal dancers Erin McKinnon and Tamara Diehl, with the accompanying grace (for a lack of a better word) and chivalry that shone.

"Consisting of 28 stunning, classically-trained dancers, the impending performance ‘Attitudes in Arabesque’ will enlighten audiences with the dancers’ contagious flow of energy, bursts of vibrancy, and the uniquely exquisite style in which they are renowned for.

‘Attitudes in Arabesque’ presents a collaboration of Duprada Dance Company’s finest works collected over the past 24 years. From the traditionally classical ‘Concerto En Blanc’ to the more diverse contemporary-style of ‘Transformations’, the dynamics of the performance prove a somatically-justifying consequence pleasant to the senses of any passionate artist. A certain repertoire that continuously mesmerises audiences is Director Lynne Hanton’s choreography: ‘Silhouettes and Soliloquies’. Whilst the performers are challenged with aspects such as technical precision, distance of movement, demanding musical tempo, intricate patterns, and awe-inspiring stillness, the haunting atmosphere of this particular repertoire will have the audience succumbed under a magnetic spell of majestic movement.

Celebrating her fifth year with Duprada Dance Company, Principal Dancer, Erin McKinnon humbly conveys a sense of ethereal elegance as she weaves her enchantment upon the stage. This Diploma of Performing Arts graduate is a truly captivating dancer whose mastery of technique and innate passion is reflected in her performances, particularly in the not-to-be-missed pas de deux ‘Winds, Shadows and Shifting Sands’.

With such a varied performance of dance styles, exquisite lighting by GregThompson, accompanied by pianist Tanika Richards, with inspiring creations of costume designer Simone Kilian, one can expect an evening fulfilled with a spectrum of signature repertoires that will take one’s breath away. The beauty of ‘Attitudes in Arabesque’ will easily satiate performance-thirsty audiences wanting a refreshing cultural experience.

It was a pity however, that a Friday audience was barely 40-patrons in size, which meant the theatre was a lot colder than usual.