Sydney Dance- 2 One Another

a fabulous show loved it
here's what I said for artshub
 http://www.artshub.com.au/au/news-article/reviews/performing-arts/2-one-another-188242

At times detached, at others intimate, mesmerizing, glittering and lyrical, this world premiere by Sydney Dance Company with choreography by Rafael Bonachela will have you rapt and breathless.
A plotless work, 2 One Another seeks to explore the ‘experience of connecting and disconnecting, of being part of a group yet simultaneously alone, individual. To feel whole or crushingly empty. To know and experience the difference between solitude and loneliness, contrasted with being part of a larger group, interacting (or not) with many multifaceted networks which are there, with or without Me.’
It opens with crashing thunder and a blinding lightning strike and ends with a sculptural, posed pas de deux in a vivid red sunset.
The amazing dancers perform Bonachela’s challenging, demanding choreography superbly. Technically the dancers are more than marvellous, and seem boneless. Tiny everyday gestures (a hand, a foot, an animal yawn, the touch of a finger or elbow) are taken and expanded and developed into extraordinary choreographic phrases.
A large part of the work is a series of sculptural solos, duets or trios – sometimes pas de quatre or pas de cinq – that are dazzling. In particular there are solos for Chen Wen, Richard Cilli and Charmene Yap, and a duet for Natalie Allen and Andrew Crawford that are especially breathtaking. The dancers perform captivating calligraphy in space, swirling in ecstatic, creamy movement. In the looming, ominous ensemble sections they can appear emphatically solid and automated. In one section Bonachela favours using a deep Graham plie and there is also a possible hint of Bangarra influence. Attempting to explore the philosophy of human relationships, theirs is a human, controlled, physical and bodily reaction to emotional impulses; the final results of a combined poet’s expression and choreographer’s vision.
The stage is bare, with a white floor, to showcase the magnificent dance. Tony Assness and Benjamin Cisterne’s marvellous designs, using the specially imported giant soft LED screen range from cold, blinding sharply electronic vertical lights to magical, lyrical swirling and twirling trails of stars. There is also an ominous yet warming glowing red light at one point.
Assness’ costume beautiful designs are all subtly, individually different (the cut of a sleeve or the neckline for example). For about three quarters of the show the dancers are clad in layered, semi transparent, blue-grey futuristic leotards, then in bold, flowing red for the last part. (I agree with my colleague who didn’t like the distracting luminous yellow emphasis on the zip at the back for the bluey-grey costumes.) And it seems to be the ‘in’ thing for the men to be neatly bearded.
Nick Wales’ soundscape, a blend of original and existing music, ranges from haunting Baroque to driving, relentless electronic pulsating rhythms, and is seamlessly woven into the performance; an integral part of it . His score also includes voiceovers from the work of poet Samuel Webster, the text developed as part of the collaborative creative process.
A stellar performance of magnificent dancing.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
2 One Another
Sydney Dance Company
Choreography: Rafael Bonachela
Production & Costume Design: Tony Assness
Creative Direction of Screen Content: Tony Assness
Lighting Design: Benjamin Cisterne
Original Music: Nick Wales
Text: Samuel Webster
Sound: Adam Iusyon
Sydney Theatre
March 9 – 31