Review: ADELAIDE OZASIA FESTIVAL 2016: VERTIGO DANCE COMPANY: VERTIGO 20 Embraces Two Decades Of Dance

Reviewed by Matthew John Plummer, Friday 30th September 2016

Vertigo 20 is a selection of contemporary dance sequences taken from the history of Vertigo Dance Company, established 20 years ago in Jerusalem, pieced together in a new full-length work by choreographer, Noa Wertheim, with a musical score by Ran Bagano. The beautiful dancers of the Vertigo ensemble played inside a set like a rectangular arena, with ledges around The Edges that some dancers were seated upon as the curtain opened, occasionally returning to throughout the performance to sit, as if to view for a moment, before going in again to join the dance.

Scenes of social interaction begin to play out in front of us, emotional connection, then separation, light-hearted humour, compassion, and also aggression. Partnering and posturing between lovers, very human content, but then also some raw and primal material with dancers running on all fours in a powerful, animalistic gallop, showing very impressive body strength. There is, perhaps, a statement on community awareness in one moment as a group of women obviously ignore the dysfunctional interactions between a male and female, and then even what could have been a wedding with a different couple, although they are seemingly manipulated into place. A family looks on proudly whilst the two are joined through the ceremony. It could be possible to read many scenarios into this rich tapestry of dance theatre, loaded with real human content, that is spiritual, even mystical and, at times, surreal.

The connection between the dancers and the dance is clear and strong. Two decades of dedication to developing a clean style carried into the work and was masterfully delivered by the company of performers. The unique style this company brings to the dance world is an absolute pleasure to watch, a beautiful medium on which a storyboard can be easily and effectively mounted, carried to the stage by this magnificent ensemble.

Audiences will never tire of this calibre of skill and artistry. A standing ovation and roars of appreciation broke out as the performers took their bows, a visibly welcome salute for the company, who acknowledge the audience, themselves, before finally exiting to rest. This was world class dance theatre at its best, enriching for the soul and utterly inspiring.