Duology

Van Gogh "Sunflowers"

Source Wikipedia

Reproduced under GNU free documentation licence

On 27 Sept 2015 Chantry Dance performed Duology, their double bill at the Square Chapel in Halifax. Gita and I had already seen their rehearsal of Vincent - a stranger to himself when we visited their rehearsal studios earlier in the month and knew what to expect (see Chantry Dance's Vincent - Rarely have I been more excited by a New Ballet 4 Sept 2015). Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, however, was completely new.

I enjoyed both works but I think that the Nachtmusik was the better of the two. Ostensibly it was a tussle between Paul Chantry, Rae Pipler and David Beer for space on a settee that could seat three at a pinch but comfortably only two. Of course as two of the contestants were men competing for the attention of the female it developed into something of a love triangle. It was very cleverly choreographed by Chantry and Piper to Mozart's famous music and executed beautifully by the three.

Vincent which followed after the interval was an opportunity for the company's recruits, Rebecca Scanlon and Sorel de Paula Hanika, as well as some of their associates to shine. They were a credit to the company. I was particularly impressed by the appearance of their ghostly faces from behind a glass screen at the back of the stage. Beer, dressed in black, was a disturbing presence. Did he represent death or madness? Piper and Chantry were powerful and their last duet was particularly moving. The production was impressive even in rehearsal. It was magnificent on Saturday night.

After the show the company stayed on stage to answer questions from the audience. Helen Gavaghan asked whether the choreographers had read much about van Gogh before they started to create the ballet and learned that they had read loads. In particular, they had read the artist's letters to his brother. Someone else asked about the creative process, whether the music came first and how they developed the story.  Gita commented on the enormous progress the company had made since their last visit to Halifax. I asked them about their school (see If only I were young again - Chantry School of Contemporary and Balletic Arts 27 July 2014).

It was a good evening. My only disappointment was that the Square Chapel was nowhere near full. I knew that they had a full house in Grantham and Woolwich and a good turnout in Birmingham. Piper said that we had been a lovely audience and that the company hoped to return to Halifax but I can't help wondering whether they might do better at some other venues such as the Studio in Bradford or even the Stanley and Audrey Burton in Leeds where there is already an audience for contemporary ballet. Halifax is at the very extremity of the Leeds City Region, it is not as easy to reach by public transport as Bradford or Leeds and not everybody has heard of the Square Chapel. I think most of the Square Chapel audience would travel to Leeds to see Chantry Dance again. I do not know how many of the crowd who regularly turn out in mass for Phoenix or Rambert would trek out west however good the show.

Chantry Dance's Autumn Tour

Vincent van Gogh Self portrait

Source Wikipedia

Last year Chantry Dance Company performed The Happy Prince to celebrate the anniversary of the 160th anniversary of the birth of Oscar Wilde (see The Happy Prince in Halifax 21 Nov 2014). This year they are creating a ballet about Wilde's contemporary genius Vincent van Gogh. According to the company's website, the ballet (which is called Vincent - a stranger to himself) is based on

"the life and loves of Vincent Van Gogh and pursues the man behind the self-portrait, yearning for affection, balancing genius with madness. The piece explores the artist's relationship with the women in his life, as well as the relationship with his one true passion - his art."

I can't tell you much about it right now but if you follow the link you will find some lovely photos of the dancers who will perform the piece by Dani Bower.

Vincent - a stranger to himself will form part of a double bill called Duology.  The other work will be Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' 

"where the audience is at liberty to create their own interpretation of the dance imagery they are presented with. The choreographer invites the audience to become an active interpreter, rather than passive observer."

Needless to say I am intrigued. Does that mean that we get a chance to dance with the professionals as we did in Dream Dance last year? (see Chantry Dance Company's Sandman and Dream Dance 10 May 2014), I shall always be grateful to Gail Gordon for coaxing me out of the stalls and on to the stage to take part in that show.

Duology will tour England between 16 Sept and 2 Oct visiting Grantham, Stamford, Birmingham, Worcester, Halifax and London. I hope to catch them company at The Square Chapel in Halifax on 26 Sept 2015. If you want to join me and their many Yorkshire fans call the box office on 01422 349422 or visit the theatre's website.