Ballet rocks community
By Suzanne Calla September 2002
Images by Pascal Elliot
Reaching out to the people and responding to their needs and
values are the core of Sydney’s contemporary dance
company, ‘Bondi Ballet’.
With their second season ‘Bondi Rocks’ fast approaching, director, founder and choreographer, Michael Montgomery considers the company’s approach to dance as beneficial to Australian society as it incorporates innovative ideas concerning the nation’s cultural identity.
“It’s a very new movement- the fact that we’re approaching it in a very realistic sense as well as trying to work in creating cultural identity artistically,” he said. “In my artistic philosophy, it’s all part of producing our cultural identity and is based on all Australians, its themes reflecting our society.”
The season will span over a three-week period, from October 23 – November 9.
Since its premiere season, the Bondi Ballet has expanded and new choreographers have been hand-chosen by Montgomery after a holding a competition open to all Sydney-based choreographers.
After the large-scale competition reaped worldwide response, Montgomery was adamant about finding local talent and chose the works of Jonathon Rosten and Paulina Quinteros.
James Taylor adds to the talent involved, continuing to contribute following the success and excitement of last season.
The Bondi Ballet introduced itself in November 2001 where its first season ‘Project Far Pavilion’ was a huge triumph locally and also overseas. The media including BBC World News and European print internationally acclaimed its achievement.
“It was quite a miracle that it happened and a miracle that it achieved success, not only locally, but also around the world,’’ Montgomery said. Montgomery praises the Waverly Council and community for their belief in this project and believes that a supportive, interrelated network is imperative.
“If we engage in the process, we reach out and we speak to the people… We are taking dance to the people,” he said. “ It’s simply a case of responding to demand and that’s what art has always been.”
‘Bondi Rocks’ was created as a result of feedback from surveys which were distributed to audiences at the previous production and Montgomery believes it is now the community’s turn to be on the receiving end: “The ultimate test in our business is about putting entertainment to an audience and looking for a response. We are able to give something back. It’s what they want, and in the process of opening their minds, we are working to create magic.”
Unique auditions were held on Tuesday, August 20 where Montgomery and fellow choreographers assembled as a team for the initial time. In opposition to Montgomery’s labelling of Australia’s selection process being “youth-obsessed” he chooses his performers based on their wider knowledge of the world.
“Dancers, at their mid-20s are very, very powerful…they have loved and lost and lived and can bring that experience to the stage,” he said.
“We are concerned with finding a balance between physical capability and technical capability and adding artistic values of life experience.”
According to Montgomery, with the company’s aim pitched away from traditional dance audiences, there is a large-scale attempt to lock in community support, enticing and opening their horizons.
Montgomery claims that Bondi is the perfect location for this production, where its richness and diversity serve to facilitate meaning.
The Bondi Ballet is performed at the Bondi Pavilion, a small, intimate venue, able to hold approximately 230 spectators. Even audience members seated at the rear of the venue are a mere six metres from the front of the stage.
“It’s a very personal experience, you’re right in there and you can’t escape! You’ve got no choice but to be right in the middle of it. I think it’s very exciting and our audiences do too,” Montgomery said.
With his sights now set on becoming the state dance company of NSW in the next three to five years, this production is the first step in an innovative project to create opportunities for many.
Plans are currently underway for regular open classes which intend to service the community, including ballet-based lessons which invite mothers and children in the same class.
“People can just join in and dance, plus have fun. It’s our way of giving back to the community with our skill and experience, and sharing in it in a much less formal way,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery is anxious about the upcoming season, with sights set on even greater success “I can promise it to be unique, original and entertaining. I think there’s a lot of emotional content in the program that people are going to connect with and relate to,” he said.
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