Dance is a universal language in which complex narratives, powerful emotions and delicate nuances are all expressed through the body without need for a single uttered word.

Every two years, the West Australian Ballet gives its dancers the opportunity to express themselves through dance in Genesis, a collection of 10-15 minute works choreographed by the dancers themselves.

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One of the company’s talented young dancers, Mathias Deneux will be choreographing a piece for Genesis and says, for him, dance has been a powerful means of communication.

‘When I arrived in Australia, I spoke not a word of English,’ explains Deneux.
‘Dance saved me I think. It’s a way to express myself and I don’t need words for that.’

Deneux has since picked up the language but living so far from his native France, he decided to become involved in Genesis to keep him from feeling homesick.

‘I miss my family a lot. I work during the day but at night when I was at home I was thinking about my family. It started when I was talking to the director, he said “Look, why don’t you do a piece for Genesis, like that you’ll keep busy and you’ll think less about your family”.’

Despite being Deneux’s choreographic debut, he is not afraid to take risks and push himself to his limits.

‘We have a dancer in the company who really wants to be a choreographer and who does great things. I talked to him in the beginning to see what he thinks and he told me to be careful of the number because the more dancers the more difficult it is.

‘When everyone wrote down which music with which dancers etc, I looked at the paper and there was two dancers, four dancers, ten dancers- I have twelve!’

Genesis has been a learning experience for Deneux, who has a newfound respect for choreographers.

‘It’s good to see the other side too- the side of the choreographer,’ he said.

‘For example, during the rehearsals one of the girls was sick and I had to ask for a replacement dancer. I like this dancer a lot but she was really not very nice with me.

‘It was watching that I said “I hope I’m not like that with choreographers” and even if I was I will try everything to not be anymore, because it’s horrible.’

Deneux describes his piece as being a mix of baroque and modern, with a decidedly light-hearted feel. Set to the music of Bach, the dancers act as instruments as a conductor commands them from the front of the stage.

‘I though about the piece, about what I want to explain and I listened to my passion- to what I feel like doing. I didn’t think “it’s your first time, do something simple, just go”, and it’s been a lot of fun.’

Genesis is at the Fly By Night Club in Fremantle on August 13, 14 and 15. Book tickets on 9430 5976 or www.flybynight.org

Amy Henderson