Any fans of contemporary dance should quickly get themselves online and book a ticket to one of the 3 remaining 
performances of the sublime Triptych – Sydney Dance Company’s enthralling production, running only until tomorrow, 10 October, at the Roslyn Racker Theatre in Walsh Bay.
Triptych, as the name suggests, is a trio of breathtaking dance pieces offering a radiant marriage of movement and music featuring the works of Benjamin Britten played live onstage by the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s string ensemble, ACO2, along with a performance from legendary songstress Katie Noonan.
The triple 
bill is born from the passionate choreography of Rafael Bonachela and showcases dramatic costumes by Helpmann Award-winning Toni Maticevski. The production brings together three captivating visions of dance. A never-before-seen work from Bonachela, Variation 10, joins a repeat performance of his Les Illuminations – a deeply romantic, two-part tribute to the shimmering song cycle of Benjamin Britten, returning after a sold-out 2013 season at Sydney Opera House.
Simple Symphony is the first piece and is a light series of duos performed by just four dancers, 2 male and 2 female, and ranging from strong and spiky to soft and silky along with the musical accompaniment.
The second part to this Britten interpretation is Les Illuminations and features Katie Noonan singing text by French poet Arthur Rimbaud over more duets in increasingly complex and furious choreography. The highlights for me were the two same-sex duets ; the physical contrast between the two females emanated fierce electricity while the male duet explored tenderness, passion and delicacy in strength.
The third piece is 
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, a brand new, never-seen-before work that features 16 dancers in various groupings of up to 10. This was a much longer and more energetic and intense piece and left me thrilled.
Triptych promises an unforgettable evening of dance and music – you don’t need to be an expert in dance (I’m certainly not) to appreciate the strength, skill, grace and beauty of these dancers and their choreography. Grab a ticket to one of the last 3 performances before they head off to Melbourne at the end of this month and then overseas to perform in Hong Kong and Germany.
WHAT: Triptych by Sydney Dance Company
WHEN: Friday 9th October 8pm, Saturday 10th October2pm and 8pm
WHERE: Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay
DURATION: 106 minutes including a 20 minute interval
Book online or call Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay Box Office on 9250 1999.
Images:
Katie Noonan 2015. Photo by Cybele Malinowski.
Sydney Dance Company, Les Illuminations. Photo by Peter Greig.
Costumes by Toni Maticevski.
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