Queensland Performing Arts Centre Presents WHEN TIME STOPS, 9/6-9/14
Following on from her award winning works where the heart is and R&J, Expressions Dance Company Artistic Director Natalie Weir brings audiences her most ambitious work to date, When Time Stops.
Running from 6 to 14 September 2013, in The Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre(QPAC), When Time Stops capitalises on Natalie Weir's incredible capacity to collaborate with composers and live musicians, with a brand new score by Helpmann Award winner Iain Grandage, played live on stage by 12 of Queensland's chamber orchestra, Camerata of St John's.
This heart stopping new work opens the floodgates on those achingly personal yet intensely dramatic life-defining events; new life, loss, love and longing; When Time Stops is an ethereal voyage of life-changing moments told through the eyes of a woman.
"I haven't done a work told through a woman's eyes at EDC," said Ms Weir.
"where the heart is was told through a male's eyes, probably because I have so many sons. I thought it would be nice at some point to choreograph through a woman's eyes."
"It's through the woman that the audience see everything else, whether it's happening to her, or she's viewing it happening to someone else. She's the one taking us on the journey. She could be anyone. She's not me. She's a viewer; a watcher. She observes life. She's going through an experience that she has to resolve", said Ms Weir.
When Time Stops sees EDC's ensemble of dancers increase from 6 to 8, featuring 2012 Australian Dance Award winners Elise May and Daryl Brandwood, with the central character played by Riannon McLean.
"This new work will illustrate what is possible with a larger ensemble, not to mention 12 musicians within the space. It also uses the dancers who have been here since I started at EDC, and who I know and love and who have matured with me. There's a real history here", said Ms Weir.
QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas highlighted the importance of collaborations with local companies in creating and presenting new works.
"For a city that's growing and changing as much as ours, constantly creating and recreating art guides us in understanding the kind of people and place we want to be. In this work, Natalie is looking at how we respond to defining moments in our lives. I think that's something we can relate to on a personal level but also on a civic level.
"Our partnership with EDC is a long and valuable one. QPAC has worked closely with the company for many years. They're an integral part of the city's arts scene and they continue to create exceptional new productions," Mr Kotzas said.
Not afraid to look at things that are a little uncomfortable and speak of things that are real, When Time Stops will weave elements of extreme beauty into moments of sadness and ugliness; all the things that make up a life.
EDC's When Time Stops runs from 6 to 14 September at QPAC, book now via qpac.com.au or call 136 246.
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