PROARTEDANZA: SEASON 2016 choreography by Robert Glumbek and Roberto Campanella (ProArteDanza). At Fleck Dance Theatre (207 Queens Quay West). Wednesday-Saturday (November 16-19) at 8 pm. $25-$45. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com. See listing. Rating: NNNN
Over the past 12 years, Toronto-based contemporary ballet company ProArteDanza has built a loyal audience by presenting dynamic choreography delivered with attack and flair. The companys current program from resident choreographers Robert Glumbek and Roberto Campanella doesnt disappoint. I saw the show at Markhams Flato Theatre during the companys mini-tour of southern Ontario it continues at the Fleck through Sunday.
Glumbeks Diversion uses lighting design by Arun Srinivasan and a menacing electronic score by Marconi Union to create an atmosphere of foreboding. Dancers emerge and vanish into dense haze at the back of the stage, embodying Glumbeks broad conceptual intent: disappearances, either expected or sudden.
The dancers are superb arms slashing the air to gain height, they execute low runs or couple for insect-like duets and launch classical pirouettes directly into or out of more pedestrian movement. There is a wonderful sequence near the end as Daniel McArthur traverses the stage in a rectangle of light. One by one, women emerge from the wings and hurl themselves at his head. His progress, understandably, is slow.
Campanellas Fearful Symmetries shares some qualities with Glumbeks work but feels more influenced by pop culture themes and forms. The piece opens with a striking image: the dancers under bright lights, backs to audience, running in place. Driven by John Adamss hectic score, the work pays aesthetic tribute to the silent film era while commenting on the frenzied pace of modern living. Among the excellent dancers, Tori Mehaffy is able to achieve smooth movement combined with great speed my eye was drawn to her ferocity again and again.
Both works capture their ideas in intriguing ways. But it’s the quality of the choreography and the skill of the dancers delivering that make for such an exhilarating double bill.
