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E-Side Dance CompanyFebruary 2008 Hong Kong, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre by Natasha Rogai |
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Since 1988, Jacky Yu’s E-Side Dance Company has provided a platform for a multitude of independent dance groups and choreographers to show their work. Their latest programme, Craze Explosion, features three very different pieces which give a good indication of the range and commendably high standard of indie contemporary dance in Hong Kong. The first, White Shadow by Zero Zero Ensemble, was the most conventional. Two men dance together, mirroring each other’s movements. Eventually a woman joins them – or comes between them. The three protagonists appear and disappear behind walls made of newspaper and occasionally burst through them. The piece ends on a darker note, as one of the three appears to be rejected by the others. Choreographed by Force Fong and Noel Pong and performed by them together with Dominic Wong, the piece starts slowly but ends strongly. The use of the newspaper set is ingenious and there are occasional flashes of brilliance, like a brief lift for Pong on Fong’s raised knee, but much of the movement is simple and at times follows the music with unimaginitive closeness. Dick Wong’s 1+1 does not equal 2 is an entertaining two-hander for Wong and Abby Chan. A man and a woman create a short dance sequence one step at a time each which the other may approve or reject. They then perform the completed sequence in increasingly hilarious styles, from Chan’s ballet send-up to Wong’s baat poh (grumpy old woman), ending with a duet to the weather report. A clever idea, executed with wit and style by two charismatic artists. Unlock Dancing Plaza’s Whatever, choreographed by Ong Yong Lock, was bemusing but not boring. A male corpse in a woman’s evening gown lies on a gurney. Four women sob loudly over the body then throw it on the floor and indulge in a long bout of laughter. Two of them take off half their clothes and do some impressively sexy belly dancing. The corpse starts rolling rapidly from side to side of the stage while the others run round it in circles. Finally the corpse comes to rest and three female dancers have what looks like a violent epileptic fit. Whatever indeed but well performed, accompanied by some outstanding acapella singing by Lianna Tse.
A version of this review previously appeared in the South China Morning Post.
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