Intimacy is a triumph of passion and diversity over adversity. Real, raw and tender: intimacy is a celebration of doing, of loving, of being human.
Michelle Ryan began dancing when she was just four years old, and is now one of Australia’s most celebrated dancers. Her movement is truly unique. Her simplest gesture can express a level of poignancy and vulnerability, strength and courage that is beyond that of an able-bodied performer.
At 30, at the peak of her career, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Although MS has irreparably damaged Michelle’s physical prowess, it cannot undermine a lifetime of physical artistry and creative expression.
After a ten-year hiatus from dancing, Michelle was invited by renowned Belgian choreographer Alain Platel to perform as the guest artist in the 2011 Brisbane Festival season of 'Out Of Context' for Pina by Les Ballets C de la B. After seeing her perform, Platel asked Michelle why she had stopped. This question, from one of the world’s leading contemporary dance makers, had a profound effect on Michelle. 'Intimacy' is her response.
'Intimacy' is a dance theatre/live music work that takes some of our most private and vulnerable moments and examines them through a public prism of coping with disease and disability. It is an unashamedly confronting and heartfelt work about the beauty and fragility of what it is to be human. These are Michelle's.ONE
As I young girl, I loved watching all the old musicals. From the elegance of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers to the tap dancing Gene Kelly to the long legged Cyd Charisse, it all seemed magical. I did grow out of my musical stage but I still love the classics and wish I had Charisse's legs.TWO
What teenage girl didn't want to be Jennifer Beales from 'Flashdance'? Although I didn't want to be a welder, her last dance sequence in the film was fantastic (for the '80s). No one seemed to notice that it took about five different dancers to film the clip, including a man.THREE
I travelled the world for many years when I danced with Meryl Tankard's Australian Dance Theatre which was amazing. Performing on stages in places like New York, London, Tokyo and Paris to name a few was a dream come true for a girl who grew up in Townsville, North Queensland.
FOUR
After a few crisp, white wines I like to build up a bit of speed in my wheelchair and then glide across the dance floor. You'd be surprised how quickly people can jump out of the way.FIVE
On a serious note, I love dancing with my dance partner, Vincent Crowley in the production 'Intimacy'. We first danced together over 20 years ago. The only different now is that his wife, Ingrid Weisfelt, watches as director of the production.'Intimacy' performs Adelaide Festival Centre 28-31 October.
