Overview
Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade was created for Sydney Dance Company by Canadian born guest choreographer Aszure Barton in 2008. The world premiere of Sid’s, Barton’s Australian choreographic debut, took place at Carriageworks, Sydney, on 8 October 2008.
Described by the New York dance fraternity as perhaps the most innovative choreographer of her generation, Aszure Barton’s work has attracted the patronage of dancing great Mikhail Baryshnikov, resulting in her Artist in Residence status at the Baryshnikov Arts Centre and choreographic commissions from his touring company, Hell’s Kitchen Dance.
In program notes, Barton described Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade as ‘a result of the impact that the dancers, collaborators and the country’ made on her during the six weeks she spent in Australia creating the work. ‘I am fascinated with the history, inner life and eccentricities of the artists. My goal was to create a world based on them, as individuals and as a family.’
The creative team for Sid’s included Barton’s collaborative assistant Ian Robinson, who also danced in the premiere season, set designer Gerard Manion, costume designer Michelle Jank, lighting designer Trudy Dalgleish and sound designer George Gorga. Barton’s musical arrangement for the work incorporated an eclectic mix that ranges from Beethoven to Rolf Harris and includes a spoken and musical rendition of Waltzing Matilda.
Performance History
Carriageworks, Sydney
8-25 October, 2008
QPAC, Brisbane
5-15 November, 2008
Newcastle Civic Theatre
21-22 August, 2009
Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
2-5 September, 2009
Creatives
Choreography & Direction
Aszure Barton
Collaborative Assistant
Ian Robinson
Set Design
Gerard Manion
Costume Design
Michelle Jank
Lighting Design
Trudy Dalgleish
Musical Arrangement
Aszure Barton
Sound Design
George Gorga
Cast
Bradley Chatfield, Chylie Cooper, Emmie Dillon, Connor Dowling, Annabel Knight, Johanna Lee, Teagan Lowe, Reed Luplau, Rani Luther, Veronica Mahon, Ian Robinson, Simon Turner, Kalman Warhaft, Chen Wen, Jason Wilcock, Angus Woodyard
Media
“As one would expect from a company of the stature of SDC the piece is strong and intriguing, flows beautifully and is, quite simply breathtaking.” – ABC Brisbane
“Barton is clearly brilliant.” – San Francisco Chronicle
“I thought that the audience was going to explode from their seats. Aszure Barton where have you been? The art of choreography needs you.” – Village Voice
“Aszure Barton’s work is something else entirely: a rare instance of dance that feels as if it were plucked straight from the choreographer’s extremely specific imagination and set, full-grown, onstage.” – The New York Times
“Barton creates moments of genuine emotional resonance. To say that she is worth watching would be something of an understatement.” – VoiceofDance.com
Overview
Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade was created for Sydney Dance Company by Canadian born guest choreographer Aszure Barton in 2008. The world premiere of Sid’s, Barton’s Australian choreographic debut, took place at Carriageworks, Sydney, on 8 October 2008.
Described by the New York dance fraternity as perhaps the most innovative choreographer of her generation, Aszure Barton’s work has attracted the patronage of dancing great Mikhail Baryshnikov, resulting in her Artist in Residence status at the Baryshnikov Arts Centre and choreographic commissions from his touring company, Hell’s Kitchen Dance.
In program notes, Barton described Sid’s Waltzing Masquerade as ‘a result of the impact that the dancers, collaborators and the country’ made on her during the six weeks she spent in Australia creating the work. ‘I am fascinated with the history, inner life and eccentricities of the artists. My goal was to create a world based on them, as individuals and as a family.’
The creative team for Sid’s included Barton’s collaborative assistant Ian Robinson, who also danced in the premiere season, set designer Gerard Manion, costume designer Michelle Jank, lighting designer Trudy Dalgleish and sound designer George Gorga. Barton’s musical arrangement for the work incorporated an eclectic mix that ranges from Beethoven to Rolf Harris and includes a spoken and musical rendition of Waltzing Matilda.
Performance History
Carriageworks, Sydney
8-25 October, 2008
QPAC, Brisbane
5-15 November, 2008
Newcastle Civic Theatre
21-22 August, 2009
Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
2-5 September, 2009
Creatives
Choreography & Direction
Aszure Barton
Collaborative Assistant
Ian Robinson
Set Design
Gerard Manion
Costume Design
Michelle Jank
Lighting Design
Trudy Dalgleish
Musical Arrangement
Aszure Barton
Sound Design
George Gorga
Cast
Bradley Chatfield, Chylie Cooper, Emmie Dillon, Connor Dowling, Annabel Knight, Johanna Lee, Teagan Lowe, Reed Luplau, Rani Luther, Veronica Mahon, Ian Robinson, Simon Turner, Kalman Warhaft, Chen Wen, Jason Wilcock, Angus Woodyard
Media
“As one would expect from a company of the stature of SDC the piece is strong and intriguing, flows beautifully and is, quite simply breathtaking.” – ABC Brisbane
“Barton is clearly brilliant.” – San Francisco Chronicle
“I thought that the audience was going to explode from their seats. Aszure Barton where have you been? The art of choreography needs you.” – Village Voice
“Aszure Barton’s work is something else entirely: a rare instance of dance that feels as if it were plucked straight from the choreographer’s extremely specific imagination and set, full-grown, onstage.” – The New York Times
“Barton creates moments of genuine emotional resonance. To say that she is worth watching would be something of an understatement.” – VoiceofDance.com