Sydney Dance Company Headlines Line-up for AK03

Sydney Dance Company Headlines Line-up for AK03

Sydney Dance Company’s stunning contemporary production, Ellipse, is one of the headline acts of AK03 (Auckland Festival) launched in Auckland last night (SUBS: 23 July).

Dramatic, exquisite, sensual and dynamic, Ellipse is the stunning work of leading Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy and is presented at The Civic from September 24 to 28 by THE EDGE®.

Ellipse is the hugely successful production from Murphy which premiered at Sydney Opera House’s Opera Theatre in 2002 and played to full houses, breaking all box office and attendance records.

The production is a suite of seven dances set to the music of hot new Australian composer Matthew Hindson, and performed by the company’s 17 dancers, some of whom have been members of Sydney Dance Company for more than 10 years.

“Ellipse demands huge energy, subtle lyricism, comedy and drama,” Murphy explains. “It runs the complete gamut of the contemporary dancer’s ‘raison d’etre’.”

Sydney Dance Company last toured to New Zealand in 2000 with Salome and previously presented Free Radicals (1998), Beauty and the Beast (1997) and Berlin (1996).

Ellipse features collaboration with leading Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa, lighting designer Damien Cooper and set designer Gerard Manion as well as composer Matthew Hindson.

Inspired by Hindson’s wildly eclectic music, Ellipse takes audiences on a roller-coaster ride from full throttle hip hop, through the romance of a solo cello to the dreaminess of trance.

While Murphy has previously worked with Isogawa, Cooper and Manion, Ellipse is the first collaboration with Hindson.

Murphy came across Hindson’s music one evening while listening to the radio. “It was huge and it was symphonic. It was taking my head everywhere. It was more beautiful and lush than I could believe and then it would go into club music – for orchestra. I thought it was freaky.”

Murphy worked with Hindson and composer/producer Carl Vine to bring together a compilation of seven short yet complete scores to provide the music for Ellipse. “The music was and is the driving force,” Murphy says.

In Ellipse, Murphy explores the play of light and the power of movement.

“Lighting is the closest relative to choreography. It’s liquid, it’s sort of abstract … I’ve always considered it another member of the company.”

Ellipse is on stage at The Civic, THE EDGE, Auckland from September 24-28. Tickets are on sale now and everyone who purchases their tickets before August 30 goes in the draw to win a trip for two to see Sydney Dance Company’s new production at the Sydney Opera House in July 2004, flying Qantas. Book at Ticketek on (09) 307 5000.

ENDS

“Murphy’s stories – and there are mini-narratives here of love, contemplations, rivalry, seeking, longing – are inscribed on the eloquent bodies of his blissful dancers.” The Australian

“Inventively choreographed and sensitively performed … Movement so seamless it makes your spirits lift with joy.” Sydney Morning Herald

For more information and to arrange interviews contact:
Sally Woodfield
Communications Manager
THE EDGE®
Ph: (09) 307-5446
Mobile: (021) 649-904
Email: sallyw@the-edge.co.nz

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