The Host 1-9 May 2015 Cremorne Theatre, QPAC

Reviews Round-Up

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Company and Production “With every new work, EDC continues to solidify their rightful place in the landscape of contemporary Dance in Australia.” Dancetrain Magazine “It is impossible to take one’s eyes off the guests at this dinner party – a charming, relatable, hour-long production.” QT Entertainment “The host serves up a lively tasting plate offering the audience plenty to savour.” Courier Mail “The Host is a more than worthy addition to EDC’s permanent repertoire and a perfect vehicle for touring.” Stage Whispers “This is a theatrical exercise that draws on the creativity and experience of companies defined by their nebulous natures” City Life “The Host unites dance theatre to tense expressionism, marrying contemporary dance with fashion, exposition and statement. The undertones of the play see power collide with ambitions, manipulation, greed and jealousy at the dinner table as an offensive maneuver for an explosive power play.” City Life “The personality of each is explored in solos, duets and trios through movement that is deeply expressive.” Dance Australia

Natalie Weir “Beautiful and intricate partnering is a hallmark of Natalie Weir’s choreography and this work is no exception.” Dancetrain Magazine “One of Weir’s defining strengths has always been discovering imaginative and exciting ways to move her dancers, and their interaction with this prop (table) produces some truly stunning and breathtaking choreography showcasing their commanding athletic and aesthetic prowess.” Courier Mail “Choreographically it’s athletic and angular, extremely sensual but not erotic.” Stage Whispers “This is where Weir shines, as she takes the basic choreography construct of contact improvisation and pushes it to dangerous extremes.” Dance Australia

Dancers “The ensemble of 7 dancers that makes up EDC at present are all unique yet strong and bring much depth to each of their roles.” Dancetrain Magazine

 

 

“The Host Jack Ziesing is, as always, mesmerizing to watch, though it’s hard to argue the whole ensemble is not captivating. His fight scene with the wannabe (Benjamin Chapman) is breathtaking in its strength and masculine prowess.” QT Entertainment “The soft landings and delicate exchanges throughout The Host belie the sheer strength required to execute the dance moves.” QT Entertainment “A picture of erstwhile elegance, Elise May anchors the work as The Host’s troubled partner. She exudes sensitivity and emotion through every fibre of her being, rendering the most developed and whole character of the piece and captivating with poignancy and gravitas.” Courier Mail “…each player delivers a clearly delineated and well executed portrayal that allows them to shine.” Courier Mail “…it’s a work that is beautifully realized by this young company of outstanding dancers.” Stage Whispers “Jack Ziesing embodies the role of The Host with a hypnotic allure and executes Weir’s sometimes difficult moves with grace.” Stage Whispers “Elise May as the Hostess has class, matched Ziesing’s intensity, and danced with passion.” Stage Whispers “Cloudia Elder, a trainee in her first professional year with EDC, was spectacularly impressive as the Insecure Girl. She has a bright future.” Stage Whispers “Jack Ziesing, as the wealthy, controlling, upper class Host, was compelling…his performance dramatically secured the work. Elise May was likewise mesmerizing with her finely nuanced portrayal of the betrayed Hostess.” Dance Australia “A trio with Ziesing, May and Michelle Barnett, who oozed section as The Younger Woman, was like a moving sculpture that explored the tensions of the relationship triangle.” Dance Australia “As The Has-Been, seasoned performer Daryl Brandwood showed that in the dance department this is far from the case: his extraordinarily pliant body was folded and unfolded, mannequin-like, by Ziesing in another very cleverly constructed duet.” Dance Australia “The diminutive Cloudia Elder, who conversely is the youngest company member, showed both diffidence and strength in her portrayal of The Insecure Girl”. Dance Australia “There was an attractive rawness to Benjamin Chapman’s movement quality in his performance as The Wannabe, which was exemplified in the fight duet with Ziesing as they tossed one another effortlessly across the table in fearless display of athleticism.” Dance Australia

 

 

“Rebecca Hall was delightful in a flirtatious duet with Chapman.” Dance Australia

Designers “The lighting adds further to the drama, with top hats shining lights on the table a nice touch – a credit to Ben Hughes.” QT Entertainment “Expanding the conceits of prestige and presence further visually are the character defining costume creations of Brisbane fashion designer Gail Sorronda.” Courier Mail “The European feel was also enhanced by the classical lines of Gail Sorronda’s costume design, and Ben Hughes’ arresting lighting plot.” Stage Whispers “Gail ably unites the clothes to the stage through typical theming.” City Life “An evocative lighting design by Ben Hughes helps keep the atmosphere intimate using single overhead spots to narrow the focus.” Dance Australia “Dark Romanticism encapsulates Gail’s style, her materials, technique and design are all outlines of edgy reserve tempered by caliginous rapture.” City Life

Music “Amazing live music from Southern Cross Soloists and dramatic lighting design by Ben Hughes adds excitement and intrigue to the minimalist set and flamboyant designer costuming.” Dancetrain Magazine “…the music added immensely to the mood and timbre of the piece.” Stage Whispers “The Southern Cross Soloists performed a score eclectically drawn in the main from the classical canon, which worked in synergy with the movement to express and also effectively drive the drama.” Dance Australia “…intensity is wound and shielded by the stark and minimal classicism of locally based chamber ensemble Southern Cross Soloists.” City Life “Through an enchanting organic dance style paired with moving live music from the Southern Cross Soloists, every emotion is felt.” QT Entertainment “ The Southern Cross Soloists are ideal in simultaneously relieving and building intensity, where the starkness of oboe, violin, cello, flute and Soprano blend into layers of thrilling textures always verging between the poignant and the eerie. Ideal dinner companions indeed.” City Life

 

 

THE COURIER MAIL Olivia Stewart – 01/05/2015

 

 

MY CITY LIFE Lady Lex – 06/05/2015

 

 

 

 

DANCE AUSTRALIA Denise Richardson – 05/05/2015

 

 

 

 

STAGE WHISPERS Peter Pinne - 08/05/15

 

 

THE QUEENSLAND TIMES Rae Wilson - 07/05/14

 

 

 

 

DANCETRAIN MAGAZINE Melissa Lee- 04/05/15