FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International Repertory Season – A Triple-Bill
12 – 13 September at University Cultural Centre Hall, National University of Singapore
Be enthralled by Singapore Dance Theatre’s (SDT) international repertory season, Masterpiece in Motion, from 12 – 13 September 2014. This season will be held at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) University Cultural Centre Hall (UCC), due to Esplanade Theatre’s upgrading project this year. The UCC stage and space is perfectly suited for the contemporary ballets which will be presented at Masterpiece in Motion this year. Be captivated by a visual spectacle of exquisite contemporary works, as SDT presents an annual triple-bill, featuring three works of international standards, showcasing the finest choreographies.
In its fifth season, Masterpiece in Motion will feature a company premiere of American choreographer Val Caniparoli’s Swipe. SDT will also present two other works from our own repertoire, including the dramatic Fearful Symmetries by acclaimed Dutch choreographer, Nils Christe, and 4Seasons, a reflective piece by Natalie Weir.
“SDT’s Masterpiece in Motion is being presented at NUS-UCC this year and it is a venue that is ideally suited to our “triple-bill” season. The theatre and stage provides the right environment for the more neoclassical and contemporary repertoire we feature in this programme,” says Artistic Director, Janek Schergen. “Nils Christe’s Fearful Symmetries and Natalie Weir’s 4Seasons are ballets we have presented before and I find them to be perfect reflections of what is at the core of SDT. These are extremely talented choreographers, who have worked with our dancers several times in the past, who can bring out what is most unique about SDT. Val Caniparoli’s Swipe is new to our repertoire and, once again, represents the ideal combination of choreography, music, and our dancers, to create a lasting work in our repertoire. All three choreographers are familiar enough with SDT to bring you ballets at the highest possible level of performance. Masterpiece in Motion, as an annual season, offers what was the initial concept of SDT when it was first formed and is, therefore, the heart of our company.”
Fearful Symmetries was originally choreographed by Nils Christe for Ballet Mainz in Germany, and performed at SDT’s Masterpiece in Motion 2011. Choreographed to the music by Nils Christe’s favourite composer, John Adams, Fearful Symmetries carries a musical element of “travelling” and a high energy drive. The audience can expect surprising elements in this piece that incorporates current and contemporary styles, encompassing pointe work, classical virtuosity, and contemporary elements. In this ballet, Nils Christe plays with primary colours – a reflection of the famous Dutch painter, Piet Mondriaan’s traditional way of painting with black, white and primary colours. Fearful Symmetries progresses into an incredibly high climax and ends peacefully. This work was successfully brought into SDT’s repertoire with the support of the Ambassador’s Circle 2011 and was premiered by SDT on 10 and 11 June in 2011.
4Seasons was choreographed by Expressions Dance Company’s Artistic Director, Natalie Weir, and made as a collaboration between Singapore Dance Theatre and Australia’s Expressions Dance Company in 2013. The four duets in the ballet forms a cohesive and united movement of beauty and intimate conversation that responds to Antonio Vivaldi’s dynamic tunes. Each pair represents one of the four seasons… but perhaps, more symbolically the four seasons of a long term relationship – the newness and youth of Spring; the stormy shades of Summer; the brittleness and longing of Autumn, and the chill and loss of Winter. The ensemble brings shades and reflections of these varying stages in a relationship.
Originally created and premiered in 2011 for Richmond Ballet, Swipe is performed to the music of London based composer, Gabriel Prokofiev, who is the grandson of Sergei Prokofiev. Prokofiev’s background in dance music, combined with his classical roots, gives his contemporary classical writing its unique edge. In Swipe, movements from his String Quartet No. 2, played by the Elysian String Quartet, is coupled with Remixes of the original quartet. Featuring a cast of three men and four women, Swipe is packed with originality, utilising every possible extremity, with solos, couples, trios, quartets and the full cast. The piece, in its abstract form, brings out the depth of the dancers’ personalities. Swipe, which was acquired with the support from the Ambassador’s Circle this year, is the newest addition to SDT’s repertoire.
FAST FACTS
Title : Masterpiece in Motion
Date : 12 & 13 September 2014 (Friday and Saturday)
Venue : University Cultural Centre Hall, National University of Singapore
Time : 8pm
Ticket prices : $30, $50, $70 (excluding SISTIC charge)
Discounts available for:
- Students/NSF/Senior Citizens
- Package of 4
- Group Bookings
Admission for 6 years old and above. We apologise that we are unable to admit infants in arms and children below 6 years old. Children 6 years old and above will require a ticket for entry.
Tickets are available through all SISTIC outlets and SDT office from 16 June 2014 onwards.
MEDIA CONTACT
Amanda Teo
Marketing & PR Executive
amanda.teo@singaporedancetheatre.com
Allison Ng
Marketing Manager
allison.ng@singaporedancetheatre.com
Office: (65) 6338 0611
Fax: (65) 6338 9748
