Sarah Navin started ballet at age 6, as she couldn’t walk in a straight line without skipping and twirling. As well as studying classical dance, she went on to perform in hip-hop ensembles, cheerleading squads, and developed a love of musical theatre – starring in shows such as The Boy From Oz, Legally Blonde The Musical and Rock of Ages. She is a Sydney-based television journalist by day, and swaps political reporting for dancing at night, either performing or attending performances – where she enjoys the chance to write creatively through a critiquing lens.
This showcase is creative, quirky, bold and, best of all, experimental as four emerging Australian choreographers explore not just intricate shapes and sequences, but whole new ways of movement.
The regal grandeur of Sydney's State Theatre marries the alluring beauty of the Imperial Russian Ballet's swan ensemble, in this strictly traditional and most enchanting production.
The Australian Ballet’s adaptation of the historic Ancient Roman story fuses violence, seduction, and the anguish of separation. It delivers a mesmerising display of masculinity, through widly explosive battle scenes.
It’s easy to imagine watching with a candy cane or mulled wine in hand. The Moscow Ballet captures The Nutcracker's festive vivacity and beauty in equal amounts.
Giselle is a story of love and loss, words left unspoken and the pain of regret. The Australian Ballet's tragedy is a beautifully poignant representation of human emotion.
Sydney Dance Company's new <em>Louder than words</em> delivers an intense, perpetual outpouring of energy. Choral vocals meet driving violins, as densely textured choreography and expressive outbursts explore personality clashes and intimacy.
A superb fusion of dance and circus, full of endless surprises and astonishing feats that leave the audience breathless for the full 80 minutes of uninterrupted thrills.
A mind-bending physical theatre piece performed at the Sydney Opera House which challenges assumptions of gravity, as clever acrobatics confuse the notion of which way is up.
Framed by a rugged rock backdrop in gamboge orange, the Bangarra dancers' deeply grounded movements indicate a deep connection to the earth. Patyegarang's journey exemplifies Australia's first cultural connection.
In terms of gasp factor, The Imperial Russian Ballet Company’s Don Quixote delivered, while adorned with all the Spanish trimmings, forbidden love and the odd wine-bottle maraca. Sarah Navin reviews at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong.
