Devised and choreographed by Chunky Move’s Gideon Obarzanek in collaboration with Victorian Opera’s Richard Gill, Assembly examines the enigmatic motions of crowds as well as being alone in a crowd. The set is 12 huge steps. At times the cast ebb and flow, as if in peak hour at Martin Place or in London’s packed Tube; at times they march in unison, forming encompassing circles of movement.
From a dance point of view there is some fine ensemble work and some shining duets or solos. Half the cast are in reddish/orange/purplish colours, the others in bluey-green shades. Most are in casual streetwear. Sometimes simple movements are used (a hand on a shoulder, a tilt backwards or to the side); in others, Obarzanek’s choreography is haka-like with the cast as opposing footy fans hissing, growling, stomping and spitting. In one section his dangerous, almost death-defying, choreography has the dancers falling or hurtling down the stairs; yet at other times it is writhing and sculptural. Some of the choreography is mechanical or robot-like, some of it Graham-inspired. In parts the cast are mindlessly herded like sheep. There are liturgical prayer-like references with bent elbows, and references to Graeme Murphy’s Some Rooms – with the hands like birds or stars – and Siobhan Davies’ Flock perhaps.
Richard Gill, the musical director, has moulded his singers into a marvellous group who work together gloriously in a thrilling mix of disjointed babble of incoherent speech, early music repertoire (Gesualdo, Purcell, Victoria), lyrically haunting plainchant, grunts, groans, sighs and a twentieth century song. They are capable of performing choreographed movement too!
All up, Assembly is a fascinating examination of human activities, both collective and individual, contrasting dancing and singing, order and chaos – all blended into a single work. It’s a dazzling collaboration, with extraordinary power and impact.
It is sad to realise this is Obarzanek’s final work as director of Chunky Move, but what a magnificent way to bow out. It will be most interesting to see what he does next.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Chunky Move and Victorian Opera, with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs present
Assembly
Director and Choreographer: Gideon Obarzanek
Assistant Choreographer: Stephanie Lake
Music Director: Richard Gill
Assistant Music Director: Daniel Carter
Lighting Design: Nick Schlieper
Associate Lighting Design: Tom WIllis
Costume Design: Harriet Oxley
Set Design: Gideon Obarzanek and Chris Mercer
City Recital Hall, Angel Place
January 11–14 2012
