Overture

Overture
Director & Choreographer. Jo Lloyd. Arts House – North Melbourne Town Hall. August 14 – 19 2018.

Overture is an enjoyable and resonant work of contemporary dance.  The choreography is unique and intriguing – entrancing and absorbing - though difficult to describe. 

It is satisfying on a subliminal and visceral level.  There is no obvious overarching narrative - meaning is elusive.  The inspiration for creation is elucidated in the program.  The sound track by Duane Morrison and the marvelous music from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture underpin it brilliantly.  And at times aspects of Shakespeare’s play are evoked by the dancers.

Although the work itself talks of missed connections, stories unshared and thwarted desires, dancers dance in a splendid simpatico spirit.  Choreographer Jo Lloyd’s unique style and essence is imbued and distilled into all four dancers including herself.

These artists work together in an often disjointed, and at times, disconnected mode - coming and going in various groupings.  Costume changes are very fluid; at one point truncated elegant and stylish costumes are almost modeled by the dancers as a statement of identity and individuality.  This affirms that we are looking at simultaneous, individual journeys - that intersect and fleetingly connect.

Jenny Hector lights the flesh on naked torsos exquisitely enhancing the strong contrast with clothed bodies. 

The image on the media release and invitation initially caught my attention and interest.   For me it represents the work really well.  Overture is a most satisfying edgy contemporary ‘work of art.’

Over the next few performances as the dancers relax into their short season I have no doubt the whimsy and lyricism will grow.  And the work will become even more beguiling and delight its audiences.

Suzanne Sandow

Images: Bryony Jackson

Performers - Deanne Butterworth, Rebecca Jensen, Shian Law, Jo Lloyd

Composer - Duane Morrison

Lighting Designer - Jenny Hector

Set Design - Jenny Hector in collaboration with Andrew Treloar and Jo Lloyd

Dramaturge - Anny Mokotow

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