A contemporary ballet, choreographed by Wayne McGregor - supposedly an interpretation of Jonathan Safran Foer's experimental novella of which I know very little.
So let's begin with what I saw. It started in the total dark, from which lights began to emerge - attached to dancers, as we soon realised, outlining their bodies like constellations or, as they began to move, like fireworks. As a concept, it's great but as it went on I really just wanted to see the dancers - movement is one thing but shape and form, all those things were lost to the dark.
When the lights did come up, I was really thankful - the dancers of Company Wayne McGregor were excellent. I also found the set design by installation artist Olafur Eliasson alternately impressive and interesting - utilising mirrors, glass enclosures, reflections across the walls of the auditorium - and the music by Jamie xx quite powerful.
And yet, even at only 75 minutes, I also found this - a bore? I could admire most of the separate elements but when put together, with the rather repetitive and fragmented choreography that only rarely seemed to coalesce into moments of focus, I grew… a little sleepy.
Yes, I micronapped.
Was there a narrative? Was there a point? For me, this was less than the sum of its parts, let's say. Mileage clearly varies. There was a standing ovation at the end. Obviously, I didn't partake.
Shout out to the very congested scenes prior to entry thx to security check which then caused a fifteen minute delay to the start of the show. Props to the social media manager who replied to my snarky tweet so politely.
Shout out also to the ICC having not one but three different theatres, none of which are particularly clearly labelled. Props to Sydney Festival for having volunteers on hand to redirect people.
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