Maria Pages and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, August 22
Devised, choreographed and performed by Maria Pages and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Dunas was billed as one of the highlights of this year’s Spring Dance Festival and it did not disappoint. Both dancers are masters of their own genres with many years experience performing, choreographing and directing their own companies, but stylistically and culturally they seem worlds apart. Maria Pages is an icon of flamenco dance - Spanish through and through - whereas Belgian/Moroccan Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui has built his identity with an idiosyncratic melting pot of ethnic and contemporary dance. While Dunas has no fixed narrative the works central theme is the fusion of their Spanish and Arabic influences – a coming together of hearts and minds despite different ideologies
From the beginning it becomes clear that design is the key to creating the powerful yet simple visual images in Dunas. Billowing, gossamer-thin fabric suspended from the rigging above or side stage magnifies the two dancers’ movements, enclosing and framing them in a smaller space as well as separating them from each other. Initially bathed in golden amber light, the two figures enter from opposite sides of the stage, each covered by transparent cloth, evoking the sand dunes of the title. Meeting in the centre, they simultaneously pull the fabric down to free their upper bodies. They lean together, arms intertwining, and the fabric stretches out behind them like an enormous golden pair of wings against the black background.
Later on the lighting changes to a vibrant dark blue backdrop and the sheets of fabric come down temporarily, exposing the six musicians who are seated right and left of the performance space. Now in view of the audience, they start to interact with the dancers and a spirited camaraderie is displayed as complex rhythms are exchanged between dancer and musician. The speed and clarity of these rhythms are shown in Maria Pages’ use of castanets and the stamping and tapping of her heeled shoes.
It is at this point the dancing itself comes to the fore and becomes more vigorous and exciting as each pulls out the stops to show the depth of their skill. building to a climax as Maria Pages and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui dance together in a series of duets and solos. Moving in sync, they are particularly interesting to watch as they do what are essentially the same steps while retaining individual stylistic qualities, especially in the arms and hands. In fact both had very expressive arms and hands that seemed able to lead and initiate movement in a manner rarely seen.
Page’s movement is grounded in the traditional discipline of flamenco dance and her proud unyielding spine is staunchly upright while Cherkaoui has a dynamic, seemingly effortless fluidity and a carefree quality. Dunas is aesthetically pleasing with a poetic quality – a sensory rather than intellectual work.
- GERALDINE HIGGINSON