Review: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2016: EQUINOX Displayed Adelaide's Young Talent

Reviewed by Matthew John Plummer, Saturday 12th March 2016

Equinox, staged at Tandanya as part of the Adelaide Fringe 2016, is a great performance opportunity for local young dancers showcasing the talent and versatility of the students and company members, collaborating with cutting edge choreographers and artists working in the latest dance styles and trends. This production is a debut for the company in the festival scene here in Adelaide and a wonderful chance for company members and students to demonstrate their abilities in multiple styles and techniques.

Just for Fun The Dance Company, originally designed as a cheer-leading/jazz school based at Kildare College, is now a dance centre. Just for Fun The Dance Company toured with senior artists to China as part of the Luoyang, Shanghai and Beijing Cultural Tourism Festivals.

The hour long work is fast moving and highly energetic, the dancers are obviously well trained in many different dance styles and techniques, some performers appearing in point shoes at one point, proving a dedication to ballet technique that is difficult to master and not for the fainthearted. So much skill is demonstrated here, so many different styles, and, literally, just as I was thinking I had not seen any tap dancing, there it was, a solo tap performance. What a great opportunity this was for these young dancers to gain some valuable experience doing what they obviously love. It was a great job by Kildare, and the team at Just For Fun The Dance Company, to provide this for their large team of dancers, and a big team it was, too.

Many colourful costumes, and what must have been several quick changes in the wings for all performers, was seamless and very well presented. The level of work that has gone into this production is testimony to the dedication of the Company, with so many costumes, the musical play-list, and the amount of choreography compiled to keep the stage full of vibrancy throughout the hour. What a great effort, and so valuable an opportunity for young performers to get these kinds of chances. And, yes, these young performers did step up to the plate and match the effort from their teachers and peers. Timing and synchronisation was of a high level, obviously very well rehearsed. Putting in hours of practise, and focus, is the only way to achieve these results.

Well done to all the team, and what a valuable contribution to the local dance world and for opportunities given to young dancers for training and performance.