ab [intra]

"I proposed to start with a series of improvisations. Experimenting is always an important part of the process. I asked the dancers to be in the moment with each other, to feel and listen to each other, to use their instinct, their impulses and visceral responses." - Rafael Bonachela

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"ab [intra] begins with the textual pulsations and lamentation of a solitary cello building to an expansive almost landscape-like symphonic wall of sound. Pizzicato cello samples feature, driving the work forward with the introduction of darker electronic and percussive passages, counterbalanced with visceral string textures." - Nick Wales

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"The way we have approached the space is minimal and raw. We’re exposing the theatre without any masking, and having the dancers in that space at all times. The main visual identity of the piece will be a large white dance floor – an island of sorts in the epic exposed space." - David Fleischer

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ab [intra] Choreographed by Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, and meaning ‘from within’ in Latin, the concept behind ab [intra] began as a series of improvisations by the Company dancers when the work was first created in 2018. Bonachela asked each of the dancers to anonymously write down thoughts, feelings, ideas and sensations while they experimented in the studio. Some of what was written down include:

Soft existence, channels and pathways, waves, feel the floor, existing together but not touching, bury it, so many colours in the spectrum, purposely creating awkward encounters.

These responses became the driving force for the creation of ab [intra]. Bonachela used these thoughts as a script to explore in his work, particularly the instructions, “soft existence” and “purposely creating awkward encounters.” He wanted the dancers to express themselves as raw and honest in the moment as possible.

Bonachela and the dancers used these directives to create solos, duets, trios and other different groupings. The choreographic language and the mood of ab [intra] ultimately results from a very personal, instinctual place.

Fun Fact: ab [intra] was conceived on hundreds of yellow Post-it notes, with scribbled down thoughts by the dancers.

“The dancers are always my faithful collaborators. They give themselves personally and intimately, they bring their own experiences to the studio and the trust we have as an ensemble delivers its own authenticity and openness.”

Rafael Bonachela is originally from Barcelona and has been the Artistic Director at Sydney Dance Company for 10 years. He began his career as a dancer for the world renowned Rambert Dance Company in 1992 and later became Rambert’s Associate Choreographer.

As a choreographer, Bonachela has been commissioned to make works for Candoco, George Piper Dances, ITDANSA Danza, Contemporanea de Cuba, Transitions Dance Company, Dance Works Rotterdam, and more.

His internationally recognised talent has seen him work not only with contemporary dance at the highest level but also with artists from popular culture, such as Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Sarah Blasko and Katie Noonan, as well as leading fashion designers Dion Lee, Bianca Spender and Toni Maticevski.

Fun Fact: Rafael is an avid green thumb, with a vast collection of pot plants. His favourite? The Phalaenopsis, or more commonly known as the moth orchid.

The music of ab [intra] blends string instrumentals with electronic soundscapes. This season also sees the return of Rafael Bonachela’s long-time musical collaborator, composer Nick Wales. Wales works across contemporary dance, film, theatre, and classical music. He first worked with Bonachela in 2012 on the award-winning 2 One Another, and with Sarah Blasko on the score for 2 in D Minor.

Alongside Wales’ score, ab [intra] also features the string concerto, Klātbūtne (“Presence”) by Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks. Vasks’ compositions are informed by choral and folk traditions and are characterised for their spiritual introspection and emotional depth – full of strength, purity and serenity.

Fun Fact: Nick Wales was inspired by artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ben Frost, and Radiohead while working on the ab [intra] soundscape. Listen to his Spotify playlist.

For ab [intra], Costume and Set Designer David Fleischer decided to work with a minimalist, raw aesthetic. The stage is white to provide a clean, pure focus for the audience, while the wings are stripped back and exposed to highlight the industrial quality of the space.

The costumes include elements of both classical ballet wear, such as tights, bare chests, and leotards, and modern clothing such as trousers, skirts, bras, and t-shirts.

To contrast the energy from the dancers the Lighting Designer, Damien Cooper has used low energy LED fixtures so that the total energy usage is under 15000 watts.

Fun Facts:Sydney Dance Company has been able to reduce its energy footprint for this season through using all LED fixtures. The lighting requires the same power as just 12 normal theatre lights and could be powered by only 6 standard power points.

There were 500 hours spent making the costumes.