Themes of desire, discovery and inner turmoil are explored in Expression Dance Company’s sixth signature work, ‘Behind Closed Doors’.
Choreographed by EDC’s Artistic Director, Natalie Weir, ‘Behind Closed Doors’ stars an ensemble of nine dancers, who in a medley of short scenes, lay bare the many facets of humanity found within the walls of a hotel. Cast as voyeurs, the audience is thrust into the private lives of nine thought-provoking characters, as a revolving stage turn-by-turn reveals their inner truths.
A personal favourite is The Maid played by Alana Sargent. With her vocation making her largely invisible to guests, she revels in the escapism afforded by the personal effects of hotel guests when alone in their rooms. A high heel, stockings and men’s business shoes become props in an enchanting flight of fancy dance, before she once again returns to the ruthless hustle and bustle of hotel corridors, where, surrounded by a throng of business people, she is tossed, tumbled and upended in a cleverly executed group sequence reminiscent of Alice’s tumble down the rabbit hole.
Equally engaging was guest artist Xu Yiming’s portrayal of The Chameleon, a reclusive character who seems at one with his isolation. Xu’s jerky, fitful movements conveyed his struggle to separate himself not only from the sanctuary of sleep, but his hotel room. The set design amplified the theme of insulation, with Xu’s wardrobe and the room’s furnishings the same muffled shade of red.
While minimal, the set and lighting design perfectly complemented the themes of the performances. The light cast by swaying suspended light shades knocked during a restaurant fight scene starring Elise May and Benjamin Chapman echoed the mayhem and disorder below. Stormy ocean wallpaper used in some hotel room scenes magnified the personal struggles of the characters within.
The biggest enhancement of the choreography however was the live jazz performed by Queensland’s Trichotomy and special guests, vocalist Kristin Berardi and saxophonist Rafael Karlen. Whether scat singing in wordless vocables or singing lyrics, Kristin’s vocals stole the show for me on a number of occasions, so much so that I had to tear my eyes away from her to focus on the dancers.
‘Behind Closed Doors’ is a powerful production that expertly balances heavier themes with light-hearted interludes. Funny, deep and insightful, it is gratifying to a prying eye.
