The White Prince. Image by Belinda Stodder.
Even the most hardened and skeptical of critics could not accuse Vertical Shadows and its artistic director of any lack of imagination. On the contrary, the ever-ambitious choreographer and company have become local bywords for innovation even when working on a shoestring. The White Prince is pure Stephen Agisilaou – showing off an eye for colour and a love of spectacle with a beautiful, if uneasy, alchemy of dance, theatre and visual effects with the Meat Market proving the perfect venue.
The premise centres around on two young boys, (played by Riley Fitzgerald and Joshua Hunt, who each display a maturity onstage that is normally associated with established professionals – remember the names!), juxtaposed with two older men played with the kind of intensity and aplomb by Marc Cassidy and Damien Welch that made them sought after greats.
The relationship between the men and the boys isn’t made entirely clear, relying on suggestion rather than exposition. Are these men the boy’s future selves? Their mentors? Father figures? While this layer of mystery adds to the intrigue, it becomes distancing and as a result, with the repetition of moments, fails to deepen on each reoccurrence.
But perhaps that’s the point. Relationship and characterisation take second place in support of the intricate and perfectly controlled set-pieces. With the breathtaking animation of Chris Aziaq married perfectly with Chris Boyes’ stunning lighting there’s so much to recommend. With the thankful return of Cassidy and Welch and the arrival of two mesmerizing young stars, it is a visceral display of technical and artistic wizardry via a kaleidoscope of expressionistic ideas.
The White Prince has already divided opinions, with many purists (and critics) feeling as if the piece is lacking actual dance. Such a response is unsurprising, but such a view is to unfairly reduce the overall vision. This is not simply a dance piece as tradition would have it, but a whole theatrical experience with dance being simply the platform. For that aim, there is more than enough. It does require an open mind on entering, but any preconceived ideas about dance you may have, I’m sure Agisilaou and company will take great delight in dismantling them.
Vertical Shadows and the gifted Stephen Agisilaou (assisted by long-time collaborator Jessica Mortlock), are determined not to repeat themselves. With productions like On The Rocks and Home in the back catalogue and now The White Prince, boundaries become more and more irrelevant. The White Prince is a jolt of electricity to contemporary dance, daring its audience to follow it down the path of originality. It’s a perplexing and thrilling ride. I give it a royal recommendation. Not to be missed.
Rating: 4 ½ out of 5 stars
The White Prince
Produced by Vertical Shadows Dance Company
Directed, designed and choreographed by Stephen Agisilaou
Cast: Damien Welch, Marc Cassidy, Teagan Lowe, Riley Fitzgerald, Joshua Hunt, Rosie Osmond, Josie Hodges, Alarna Curtis and Sophia Lewis
The Meat Market, Arts House, Blackwood St, North Melbourne
www.verticalshadows.com
16-24 May
