Gathering Clouds Black Grace

Theatre review by Femke van schoonhoven

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” - Martha Graham

Theatre review by Femke van schoonhoven Name of Show: Black Grace - Gathering Clouds Director: Neil Ieremia Venue: State Opera House Wellington Duration: 1.5 hours

When i first entered the Opera House, we passed through side stage and saw the performers warming up. They were all wearing casual clothing, so i was expecting them to go and get ready into their costumes any minute. They all looked very stressed and nervous and some extremely serious and slightly intimidating. We sat down in the empty theatre and the curtains then began to close. I was excited as i slouched into my seat and gazed around the vast theatre examining all of the lighting.

Black Grace was a Modern Dance performance. Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance. Modern dance often utilizes floor work. There was no change in dance style throughout the show, but there was a vast change in music genre - ranging from classical to waiata’s and 80’s pop. Black Grace was fringe theatre, therefore everyone was very interested and impressed by the show.

My eyes widened in shock each time i saw a dance leap into the air and fall straight to the ground with a crunch. The dancers were amazing and all looked as light as a feather as they leaped around the stage making their body move exactly the way they wanted it to. In one of the waiata songs it seemed like their bodies were loose, and they had no control over them. It was brilliant to see their bodies move so gracefully into such painful, strong and awkward positions with out their facials changing an inch. It was difficult to tell without their costumes on what they were - but all of the dancers looked as though they were from the same era and in the same present time. The dancers looked very concentrated through out the whole show and seemed very engaged, changing their facials to the mood of the song and particular dance. They sometimes made noises as sound effects which was very effective as it was not used often.

The lighting of the play was very well done. The colours blue and red were sued often to show the different mood of the song, as well as a physical light which would come down onto the stage and cast a giant shadow. The set design was very interesting as throughout out the show the dancers would cary huge puzzle pieces across the stage. At first it didn’t make much sense but it all clicked together when the puzzle pieces were brought together to create one giant picture. This was a very important part of the show as it showed the different people of cultures. The design elements were very plain and simple, but i think it was suppose to be that way. My mother always tells me “sometimes less is more” and i feel like this is what was achieved on set. They didn’t need to have much background sets and props - because the dancers and the songs created a good atmosphere for you which made you use your own imagination. Money seems to have been spent well - i am sure they would have spent a considerable amount on the costumes as from looking at the photographs they look stunning.

I was grasped into Black Grace, and absolutely amazed by the brilliant choreography and stunning profession of the dancers. The dancing was beyond belief and made me want to start dancing again. At times when the dancers threw themselves onto the ground i almost thought they had accidentally hurt themselves! I came away from Black grace very impressed and extremely grateful that i had got given the opportunity to see such a professional and amazing show for free. i was very surprised by the dancing as i wasn’t sure what to expect. The repeat of short movements used throughout the show was very effective and i enjoyed it. I would defiantly recommend it to others who are into seeing something a bit out oft he ordinary. Black grace was a show where i witnessed the extraordinary, and didn’t prepare myself for the unexpected.

Femke van Schoonhoven

Chilton St James School

Theatre review by Annalise Bolger

Name of Show: Black Grace - Gathering Clouds Director: Neil Ieremia Venue: State Opera House Wellington Duration: 1.5 hours

Gathering Clouds, with Unbelievable Grace

To be perfectly honest, if it weren't for the fantastic reviews i'd heard of Black Grace i would have had very low expectations for my first experience of modern dance. In hindsight, this was the perfect approach to have when experiencing the unusual form; zero expectations.

What other performance style has the ability to transform a black box into such an effective communication tool, with pure movement? Nine bodies comunicating passion, love humour and frustration so clearly i didnt need to be familiar with the history or stats that inspired it. The 'stats' being that "Pacific islanders in New Zealand were less productive and less likely to contribute to economic growth."

Neil Leremia, founder of Black Grace, took up his duty as an artist to respond to this claim with his own thoughts and experiences. He uses Black Grace as his tool, creating Gathering Clouds. As this was a technical rehearsal, the absence of costume and other audience members allowed a very different perspective. Away from the glitz of a full blown performance night, we were really able to see the physical and emotional investment from the dancers. Minor glitches only emphasised the effort invloved, personalising and enhancing. Though, with this kind of show, any mistake would have been graceful.

On a technical level, i felt some elements detracted from the power of the pure dance. Inclusion of a voiceover in several places was well intended, to fully explain the story and intentions, but managing without this interruption would have felt smoother and allowed the dance to flow more freely through it's own story.

As an introduction to modern dance, Black Grace left me more than satisfied. Their precision and passion and contagious energy aren't likely to be forgotten.

Theatre review by Monique Tuifao

GATHERING CLOUDS

Neil Ieremia

The Opera House

Approximately: 1½ hours

 EVERY STORM CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING

“I have always believed in the spirit of the Long White Cloud that embraces everyone equally. But after reading these claims and reviewing passages of my personal journey, I realise the Long White Cloud has become dark in places and it feels like a storm is brewing.” Neil Ieremia

Gathering Clouds is a production that pulsates with the passion and emotion of the Pacific. It tells the tale of those who journeyed far away from home for a better life; the trials and tribulations they experienced along the way.

l Interpretative dance is a powerful medium

In the very first minutes of the show, you are hit in the face with Pacific culture:  the island sounds that are so loud it seems to reverberate in your bones  the way the dancers move reflect the way powerful warriors fought for pride and for their village  the women move with the grace of palm trees swaying in the Pacific breeze.

As time progresses the dances are no longer free and full of hope. The repetition of routines reflects the monotony of jobs such as land labouring, cleaning factory jobs and others. These were jobs that most if not all Pacific Island immigrants had. Emphatic choreography is used to symbolise the Pacific way of open celebration and worship in the church service. However, this too becomes moulded to the preferred European way of worship (controlled and restrained); slow, limited movements.

Flustered dance movements reflect and embody the nervous fear of families during the dawn raids, when police randomly burst into homes to check for overstayers. These were very dark times for Pacific families in New Zealand. The land of golden opportunities had become the land of fear.

l Lightening and sounds are effective aides

Because 'Gathering Clouds' is an interpretive dance production, lighting, plays a huge part in assisting the audience's understanding of the environment and context for each scene. The lights helped reflect the mood of the scene and effectively setting the tone. In the beginning, darkness represents those travelling to NZ for a new life, the lights are golden, warm colours, representing hope and idealism. As we move into the darker parts of the show like the dawn raids, the lights are foreboding shades of violet and blue. I personally thought this was a great aid in understanding the emotions imperative to a production like Gathering Clouds.

In the same way that lighting helped to convey emotion, the soundtrack help to track the passage of time. In the beginning it was all songs from the islands. As time goes on, the music slowly changes to reflect European influences such as Elvis and other idols from the 50s. At this point all traces of island sounds have disappeared. This reflects the situation today. Rather then get in touch with their island roots many Pacific islanders turn to African American culture, with all its rap and hip hop stars.

Gathering Clouds is not all sadness and bad memories. There are scenes of great happiness. One with two young boys, a European and a Samoan, bonding over an innocent clapping game. Another with couples laughing and enjoying life, moving across the stage in poses of relaxation, love, and fun. These scenes help to balance the melancholy with happiness and comedy. Balance is essential to making a production well rounded.

l Memorable scene

If I had to pick a memorable scene I would actually have to pick two. It was the same choreography and the same lighting yet one was near the middle of the show and the other in the last scene. The lighting was simply amazing. The yellow light was falling in rays that bore an uncanny resemblance to prison bars. And through these bars, the dancers tumbled, leapt, ran and fell. An endless cycle. Their placements reflected an unchanged situation for many Pacific Island immigrants; still imprisoned in low income jobs. It seemed easier for them to stay there then attempt to break free.

Gathering Clouds is a production that captures the emotions and the history of Pacific immigration to New Zealand and how it is relative to today’s society. From the moment the curtain goes up, you are taken on a journey.

Monique Tuifao