Daryl Brandwood is taking on one of the most challenging roles of his career.
Helix will see him perform solo on stage for two 25 minute acts. It’s a massive test for the ballet dancer not only will the show require an amazing level of stamina and technical skill but also the responsibility of capturing and maintaining the audience’s attention will rest solely on his shoulders.
The WA Ballet has granted Brandwood, their leading artist, a leave of absence from the company to undertake this ambitious project. Helix will see Brandwood teaming up with respected choreographer Barry Moreland and award winning cinematographer Ian Batt to create a work that combines film and live performance.
Brandwood and Moreland had been talking about collaborating for many years but the inspiration of the show came after Moreland found himself in the emergency department of Royal Perth hospital following a flight from Paris. Moreland was fascinated by the machines and medical science that allowed him to see a picture of what was happening to his body.
Later Moreland was casually talking to Brandwood who revealed was born with a dislocated hip and was forced to wear a brace in his youth. Their discussions about medicine and science, visulaisation and it’s relation to the body formed the common ground for an artistic exploration.
In February a select audience was invited into the rehearsal room to see the work in progress, Brandwood performed the choreography created to date and Moreland discussed the themes that the trio had been exploring and some of the films created with Batt were also shown.
Brandwood’s movement across the stage is captivating, strong and masculine, intricate and creative, clearly the work of a performer at the summit of his career. The team’s exploration has taken them into new territory looking at the city we live in and the roles gender plays in our lives. Brandwood previewed a section of the work exploring gender where he performed in heels, the juxtaposition of his feminine attire and his strong masculinity creating an arresting image.
At this stage in his career Brandwood feels the recklessness of his youth is returning.
‘Ten years ago I couldn’t have cared if I broke my neck flying around the stage,’ says Brandwood, noting that Dancers begin to care more about their bodies as they progress through their career but reflecting on the new work he says, ‘I’ve still got things to prove’.
Working with filmmaker Ian Batt has also been a new experience for Brandwood. It’s a collaboration that brings another form of performance to the work, one that is much more up close than dance is usually viewed.
‘Film is a new experience, it captures everything clear and crisp, its hell critical, and you see everything.’
Brandwood describes the challenges in creating the filmic element of the show, noting that it’s hard to look serene underwater, but he is looking forward to hitting the streets of Northbridge to shoot sections of the work that focus on androgyny. Once combined the live and film elements of the show will be playing simultaneously.
For the trio of choreographer, dancer and filmmaker the work will be daring, they’ve been incredibly bold staging the work in the vast Heath Leger Theatre, it’s a big theatre, and a work filled with big ideas and big expectations.
Helix has its world premiere at The State Theatre Centre on June 8.
Graeme Watson
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