Vertical Influences, Le Patin Libre, O'Brien Group Arena Docklands,Melbourne Festival, Tuesday October 18th 2016

Vertical Influences, Le Patin Libre, O'Brien Group Arena Docklands,Melbourne Festival, Tuesday October 18th 2016

"Vertical Influences", Le Patin Libre, O'Brien Group Arena Docklands,Melbourne Festival, Tuesday October 18th 2016

For those new to my blog I write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. I buy my own tickets. So if you want a re-telling of the story please refer to the links for further information or for further insights.  Note, that I may provide different links for repeated main words or phrases.  I write for my memories of what I have seen, and is more of a stream of consciousness.

"Vertical Influences", Le Patin Libre has a fine ensemble of five skaters, namely Alexandra Hamel, Pascale Jodoin, Samory Ba, Taylor Dilley and Jasmine Boivon.

Sadly no programme was produced to provide biographies of these artists.  The technical and choreographic credits are available on the Le Patin Libre website. 

Choreography:
Alexandre Hamel, Pascale Jodoin, Samory Ba, Taylor Dilley, Jasmin Boivin (Le Patin Libre)

Music: Jasmin Boivin
Dramaturg: Ruth Little
Lighting designer: Lucy Carter
Costume designer: Jenn Pocobene

We sat in the central and upper area of the grand stand for the first piece which gave us a panoramic view of the entire rink.

The skaters skated in formation creating patterns, gradually changing rhythms and interactions with lots of shavings of ice forming as the skaters stopped or changed direction.

This was not your traditional Olympics style ice dancing.  This was contemporary dance meets ice skating to create a visual delight of gliding, sliding and creating patterns.

The first act showcased the skaters creating patterns on the ice: both the lines and the three dimensional shapes left by the mounds of ice shavings..  It was wonderful to see the lines left where they had previously skated.  The fog misting up from the ice combined with the lighting created opportunities for the skaters to shape this moist dimension of space.  This was so different to the arid sand sequence from "The Echo of the Shadow" where your mark in the sand was covered up quite quickly after you had left your impression.

Each skater took it in turns to showcase their talents and lead the other skaters.  The skaters used combinations of either lyrical sweeping moves or jarring staccato changes of direction at various rhythms and tempos.  These differences highlighted their texture in space and speed, as well their relationship to the other skaters.

Technically the arabesques, attitudes and shapes they created with their bodies were not traditional dance poses. I longed for more elongated lines in their shapes as I knew they were capable of more elegance in their positions.

We were asked to leave the arena for interval and were redirected to the far end at rink level for Act Two.  The fog and mist coming of the ice created a different atmosphere.

Act Two we were directed to the far end of the arena and sat at rink level.

The lights dimmed and the music started playing.  Obviously this was the cue for a red-headed woman at the start of Act Two decided to use her phone to create a post including location that she was at the event. Surely she could wait as the house lights had gone down?  Her reply to my request to turn it off was shock and then said "I'm tempted to just leave it on" to which I replied "Obviously you don't know Patti LuPone who will take your phone!"  She obliged and begrudgingly turned it as she had no idea who or whether Patti LuPone was at the venue.  This woman has no manners or respect for other audience members.

The second act teased us with their antics and their close shaves as they braked suddenly right in front of us.  The mist and fog created a wonderful illusion as each skater took centre stage and provided us with their skills.

I think the skaters are more capable than the choreography allowed.  The choreography have showcased more skills and variety.  Though what I really enjoyed was the meditative nature of the first act.

I enjoyed the show more than the rude behaviour of some audience members.

Major mobile phone issues occurred during this show.

Overall I gave this performance an 8/10.