Ballet BC In/verse

Last night I went to the season opener of BC Ballet’s In/verse, showcasing works choreographed by Italian-born Jacopo Godani and New York-born Nicolo Fonte, as well as a work choreographed by the company’s very own Artistic Director, Emily Molnar.

Photographer: Michael Slobodian. By Nicolo Fonte. Dancers: Darren Devaney, Alexis Fletcher, Connor Gnam, Dario Dinuzzi, Peter Smida & Alexander Burton.

First up was Godoni’s A.U.R.A. (Anarchist Unit Related to Art). At first, it looked like only the company’s male dancers were performing topless with lines drawn on their torsos; however, a closer look proved that the female dancers were up there as well with clever costuming to make them look like men, or androgynous under fluorescent lights, dancing as though in a warehouse, planning a revolt. The piece was set to a score composed and performed by German electro-acoustic duo 48nord, originally commissioned by Ballet Mainz in Germany. However, Godani re-choreographed many sections many sections for BC Ballet. All the dancers, both male and female, marched on the staged

The next work was Nicolo Fonte’s world premiere, Muse. A long white mat was use as what I interpreted to be a runway, a bed, a rug, and a tool to hide oneself from the world. Muse was the wet to a recording by New York-based ETHEL string quartet.

Before the final work, Aniel, I whispered to my mom, “This will be my favourite,” and I was right. A huge Molnar fan, I was delight to see the curtains raised to an all-white set–a stark contrast to the darkness of the previous pieces. When all the dancers ran onto the stage wearing brightly-coloured-borderline-hipster clothes (though admittedly, there was something reminiscent of a gap commercial) the audience applauded. Aniel was bright, quirky, funny (I laughed continuously) and touching. There was one particular moment that was really impressive –when the lights above went out and the backdrop was light–and the actors moved monochromatically across stage, then slowly the lights above were brought up and you could see the bright colours once again.

I’m always so inspired by the music Molnar uses. After Bliss last season, I come home and downloaded Icelandic cellist Hildur Gudnadottir and I can’t wait to downlaod U.S. avant-garde composer/saxophonist John Zorn’s Book of Angels.

What a great season opener, and I can’t wait for the rest.

Follow Ballet BC on Facebook and Twitter for more show information this season. There are only two remaining shows for In/verse — tonight and tomorrow, November 24th — and tickets are available now online.