Colour, movement and music to delight the senses. Modern balletic dance at its finest. A work of sublime beauty and integrity that has 30 captivating dancers entrancing the audience from a blank canvas. Save for lighting differentiation and enthralling music, their backdrop is an open stage. All the more reason to admire their endeavours.
As the curtain lifts, the performers are covered head to leg in sheer wrapping, only to shed those light “garments” to reveal striking colour. It has the effect of removing any constraints. A spirited rendition of Fanfare for the Common Man sees men in formation racing across the stage.
I can only speak in the highest possible terms about the variations in tone captured throughout 73 absorbing minutes. From jaunty to gentle and soothing, from dramatic to electrifying and triumphant. The musical journey is that of American composer Aaron Copland (1900 – 1990) and is drawn from Fanfare (1942), Rodeo (1942), Appalachian Spring (1944) and Billy the Kid (1938). It is performed by Orchestra Victoria under the baton of Joel Bass, when I saw it.
Solos, duets, trios and the full company come together and then separate. They shine brightly and then disappear in a dance extravaganza. Rodeo principals Isobelle Dashwood and Jeremy Hargreaves showcase their sublime skills and athleticism. Striking too are the Rodeo trio of Brett Chynoweth, Harrison Bradley and Drew Hedditch. Also making their unmistakable mark are the Appalachian Spring leads Jill Ogai and Brodie James. Adding heft are the Appalachian Spring trio of Aya Watanabe, Montana Rubin and Sara Andrlon.
Tony Award winner Justin Peck’s* choreography is sublime, thoughtful and suitably challenging. Copland Dance Episodes was originally commissioned by New York City Ballet, premiering on January 26, 2023. This marks its first foray outside New York.
And now we return to what is unmistakable about the 22 “episodes”. I speak about the extraordinarily colourful costumes, the work of Ellen Warren, who used to be a dancer with New York City Ballet. Copland Dance Episodes was her first commission for the company as a designer. No two costumes are alike. A different coloured top to bottom in every case. It is an invigorating, enlivening rainbow palette, which jumps out at you in a positive way. Men wear long tights. Women short.
As you enter the theatre, the evocative, painted stage curtain is the immediate focal point. The richly hued geometric design is that of American Choctaw/Cherokee painter Jeffrey Gibson. It immediately “spoke to me”, as did the magnificent program that followed. Copland Dance Episodes is on at the Regent Theatre until 2nd July and then at the Sydney Opera House from 6th to 21st November, 2026.
* Peck is the resident choreographer at the New York City Ballet. He choreographed the dance sequences in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 musical drama West Side Story.
Alex First
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Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.