Walk In Beauty, playing at the Tap Gallery this week, is a hybrid theatrical performance that draws a line between ancient and contemporary artistry. We asked director Geoffrey Sykes to tell us about it.
Talk us through the concept of Walk In Beauty.
The show responded to rich lyrical images of South Australian printmaker Janet Ayliffe, with ancient and modern poetry, speech, music and dance. Janet’s interest in multimedia paralleled my own. The work follows a narrative of human evolution and the present-day artistic expression. The concept gives the dancer a rich and diverse framework. The work explores and affirms universal themes of beauty at the core of human culture.
How do the choreography, music, voice and visuals interact in the production?
The show uses dynamic and varied dance segments, original electronic and keyboard music, projected layered images, speech, and the recorded voice of accomplished Sydney actor Susie Lindeman. There are 12 parts, and the combination of elements continually changes. The work accomplishes rich media onstage that includes rich language and poetry.
It must be exciting to bring these artists together to express their individuality as part of one communal work?
Collaboration is always an exciting thing. The origins of a work can come from one person – its producer or writer. However, others can play an essential role in its growth and performance. This is especially true in multiform works like this. Communal work can be quite organic and exploratory.
How do you hope audiences respond to the piece?
We feel audiences are quite receptive to the multisensory nature and synaesthesia of a work like this. If anything they are not given enough true multiform work, especially including rich verbal language. We have already showcased the piece and found audiences quite amazed and excited. This included non-theatregoing audiences. The constant play of elements makes the work colourful and entertaining, as well as rich in ideas and experimental in style.
Walk In Beautyis playing attheTap Gallery, Darlinghurst fromThursday August 28 until Sunday August 31, tickets online.
