Dance is an ancient art form filled with symbolism and is a means of interpreting our world and our experiences. When combined with music and lighting the effect on the psyche can be quite enthralling.
This was the case with Belle – A Performance of Air which opened the Auckland Arts Festival last night. Over one hour we were treated to a series of quite fascinating vignettes fusing dance, cirque, music and light.
Nine dancers appeared at various stages – in the first part some wearing sheer but flowing gowns free danced to lively upbeat music.
Soon after two performers were suspended above stage by large circle with a smaller one embedded into it. The spun and moved with it while strategic lighting shone from behind through a fog of dry ice. It appeared as though the were in the middle of a galactic nebula and being serenaded with beautifully orchestrated ethereal music. The effect was simply stunning and in the whole show this was for me my favourite moment.
Other memorable moments included a slow motion parkour-like interaction with a long black oblong. Multiple dancers with bungee like cords attached to their wrists and connected to the rigging well above the stage, leaping over the block and sometimes rising high into the air – this was very cool and very stylish.
There were many others as well all cleverly constructed – a line of metal structures in which the dancers could move and spin while strobe lighting flashed and a grid like pattern was superimposed on them was genius. Later in the show while one performer gyrated on the stage floor in a large metal ring, another was suspended in a large bubble that slowly opened and closed.
The soundscape was dramatic and dynamic and involved live instruments and singing at times which added nice depth to the production.
If I am to be a little bit of a curmudgeon my criticism would be about the length of time some pieces took to begin where it seemed not much was happening. This was particularly true at the beginning where the curtain stayed down for quite some time which made me wonder if there had been a technical fault. The music, while great was at times extremely loud and the use of deep base sound effects occasionally seemed to vibrate both my head and ears.
Ultimately however this was a very well executed show with dazzling effects and some terrific performances.
BELLE – A PERFORMANCE OF AIR
6-9 March 2025
Aotea Centre, Auckland
