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A masterpiece from world-renowned choreographer William Forsythe has been performed in Australia for the first time, with 14 independent dancers from across the country and New Zealand chosen for the unique show.
Brought to Perth audiences through STRUT Dance, a centre for choreographic development, Forsythe's seminal work 'One Flat Thing, Reproduced' includes 20 tables set on stage, which the dancers weave through, around, over and under.
While the name Forsythe may mean little — if anything — to people outside of the industry, for those within it, he is one of the greats, considered by many to be responsible for bringing dance into the 21st century.
Work by the American-born choreographer is performed by leading dance companies around the world, and performances must first be approved by Forsythe.
STRUT Dance director Paul Selwyn Norton is a former dancer of the man he calls 'Bill'.
"'One Flat Thing, Reproduced' is normally quarantined to major dance organisations," he said.
"But because of his trust of STRUT, and my relationship with Bill, he's allowed us — independent artists — to access that kind of top-of-the-shelf quality work.
"It's a phenomenal coup for STRUT, for independents, for WA and for Australia."
It is also the first time the show has been delivered outside, with the courtyard of the WA State Theatre Centre holding the 20-minute free, community performance.
The performance is accompanied by a musical score from Dutch composer Thom Willems — who has now produced 68 bodies of work alongside Forsythe.
"Thom Willems has been there with Bill, hand-in-hand, from the very beginning , you can't separate them," said Norton.
"What a great privilege for us to be able to have him playing live."
Dutch composer is Forsythe's 'right-hand man'
The score for 'One Flat Thing, Reproduced', like most of Willems' work, was unlike any other sound being produced at the time.
It includes multiple tracks, which he created by taking a split-second sound and stretching it out to up to ten minutes long.
"I took the best sections, the best moments, and these are looped," Willems said.
"So I have 24 of these tracks and during the performance I actually follow the energy and just decide live what music, or which combinations of music, I need for that particular moment."
Willems met Forsythe in the early eighties, when he was studying composition at the conservatory in The Hague.
While most of the work the two men have created together often appears far removed from the classics, Willems said that was not the case.
"If you look for new ways of making choreography and music it doesn't mean that you have to ignore your past," he said.
"You learn from your past and you honour the richness and profoundness of that past.
"It's very inspiring to see new generations picking up our work — at the same time I'm waiting for a new generation who picks up but also continues to develop these languages."
Experienced dancers drawn back to Perth
Twelve dancers from around the country, plus two from New Zealand, make up the cast.
"I think it's quite hard to explain the magnitude or the importance of Forsythe's contribution to dance historically," dancer and Perth native Richard Cilli, a former dancer with Sydney Dance Company and Lucy Guerrin Inc, said.
"I haven't done a show here for five years.
"To be back and to be performing something of this magnitude, it's just fantastic."
Natalie Allen, from East Fremantle, has also spent most of her career away from home, seeking opportunities in the dance industry further afield.
But after moving back to Perth recently she said it was an exciting time to be back, with Perth shaking off the 'Dullsville' label.
"This idea of 'baby Perth' doesn't exist anymore and so to be part of something showcasing that is incredible," she said.
"And I think it's more heart-warming than performing in New York or some other massive city.
"It's like 'wow, it's my home town, and I'm doing this world-renowned choreographer's work and I get to share that with those I love'."
Topics: arts-and-entertainment, dance, perth-6000, wa
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