Dancers loud and clear as themselves
The dancers are heard as much as seen in Be Your Self, the golden anniversary touring production by Australian Dance Theatre.
WA performers Jake McLarnon and Scott Ewen have returned to Perth with ADT as the Adelaide company celebrates 50 years as one of the world’s leading contemporary dance outfits. McLarnon, who started his dance training at age 11, said he was lucky to have landed a spot on ADT’s European tour last year soon after graduating from the WA Academy of Performing Arts.
“I remember studying the company when I was at high school and it was the first time I saw contemporary dance and was in awe of the work it produced,” he said.
“To be a part of the company is amazing to start with, but especially in a year when they are celebrating their 50th. It has been great having past dancers come back to teach.”
Be Your Self explores notions of what it is to be “you” as nine athletic dancers perform to a cartoon-like electronic music score and their recorded voices reciting moves and body parts.
Ewen, who grew up on a farm outside Southern Cross in the Wheatbelt, joined ADT after he was named WAAPA’s outstanding dance graduate for 2010.
Be Your Self is at the Heath Ledger Theatre until Saturday.
Former WAAPA students Jake McLarnon, left and Scott Ewen in rehearsal on stage at the State Theatre Centre in Northbridge. Picture: Nic Ellis
