Sydney Dance Company Countermove 2016

Photography: Images by Pedro Greig

Sydney Dance Company, CounterMove launches in Sydney with the return of Cacti, and a powerful new performance - Lux Tenebris.
Showcasing two completely unique and contrasting performances, Sydney Dance Company launched the incredible new CounterMove last weekend — a breathtaking and deeply moving double bill that will have you in fits of laughter one minute, and move you to tears the next. After watching the open rehearsal a few days before the world premiere it was incredible to see the performance come to life centre stage at the Roslyn Packer Theatre, with the lighting and costume design adding so much impact to the incredible dance routines seen in rehearsals. Dancer lovers I assure you - CounterMove is not to be missed!!

Alexander Ekman's 'Cacti' is hilarious, witty and charming, and had the audience in fits of laughter with it's cheeky innuendo and bold and energetic dance moves. It was an absolute delight to watch, and there was plenty of shoulders shaking with laughter throughout the performance. In complete contrast to the lighthearted and upbeat 'Cacti' is Rafael Bonachela’s world premiere of Lux Tenebris. This dance explores the battle between light and darkness, with fiercely physical movement and deep, electronic and tribal beats by composer Nick Wales. The sheer physicality of the performances left me completely mesmerised. I am constantly in awe of the strength and fitness of the incredible company of dancers. While each and every one of the Sydney Dance Company shines on stage, it is hard to peel your eyes away from the AMAZING Bernhard Knauer, Richard Cilli, Charmene Yap and Daniel Roberts when they are centre stage.

I walked away from CounterMove feeling incredibly happy, alive and inspired, and thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet and talk to the dancers afterwards about their training, their performances and next steps. With limited performances in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, be sure to go and see the show and support your amazing Sydney Dance Company before they begin touring Europe - get your tickets quickly as they are sure to sell out fast.

You can see a sneak preview here...but I suggest that you just go an see it for yourself, take a friend, grab a few glasses of bubbles and enjoy a night on the town. You won't regret it.