| Dance
retrospections
Menik Neydorff is probably one of the better-kept secrets of the
dance world. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has danced
and choreographed for and with some of Sri Lanka’s finest.
And yet she has never had a show of her own.
That
is, until now. On July 4, her work Life, Love, Death And After will
hit the boards at the Lionel Wendt featuring her group, The Kinetic
Dance Project. Referring to her show as a dance exposition, the
event is a culmination of Menik’s observations on man’s
journey of life presented through the medium of music and dance
and promises to be as intriguing as the artist herself. Bubbling
with enthusiasm, the diminutive but dynamic dancer seemed excited
and happy to talk about her first ever show…
Q: Why did it take you so long to have your own show?
“Well, first of all, though I teach, I don’t
run a school of dancing, which is a prerequisite for having your
own show. And a few other things had to fall into place like having
the right dancers. Also the theme of the show is not something a
younger me would have attempted anyway.”
Q: Why did you choose this particular theme?
“This is a subject that has fascinated me over the
years and continues to do so till now. I think about it every day
of my life…”
Q: Isn’t it a rather strange theme for a dance show?
“Every artist has to work on a theme that interests
them, that fascinates them, that makes them delve deep into the
subject, absorb it into their very being. A process which finally
gives birth to an idea that is unique to his or her creative process.”
Q: Would you like to share some of your thoughts on Life, Love,
Death And After?
“One thing that has struck me is that people are
so afraid of death. But I believe that death is only a transition
point in a journey that must lead eventually to a place of perfect
peace. It’s a natural fear of the unknown that terrifies most
people when it comes to death.
Q: You have a reputation of being a “modernist.” Would
that be reflected in your choreography?
“I will be incorporating a variety of styles in my
show. They would include jazz, contemporary, modern and freestyle
forms. I guess it would be safe to say that I have developed my
own style somewhere along the way. And some form of ethnicity has
crept in and will be represented in my choreography.”
Q: Would you like to speak about some of your influences and where
you draw your inspiration from?
Legendary dancer Isadora Duncan, choreographer/dancer Pina
Bausch, African Tribal dancers and Bruce Lee have all been a huge
source of inspiration and have influenced me tremendously. I should
also mention that Mikhail Baryshnikov, the Shaolin temple monks,
the dance group Pilobolus and Sri Lankan traditional dancing have
had a great impact on me as well. Then the meditative quality of
the ancient Chinese martial art of Tai-Chi has enhanced my sense
of balance and lifted my movements to another level altogether…
Q: You mentioned earlier about having the “right people.”
Would you say that you have them now?
My dancers are all people I work with regularly in the
Kinetic Dance Project. They are also involved with different dance
schools and companies and specialise in different styles. They include
Latin champ Kevin Nugera with whom I have been dancing with for
the last fourteen years and Natasha Guneratne who excels in Latin,
modern and classical. Lalanthi Rajapakse is a renowned classical
ballet dancer. The Kandyan side is represented by Subha Wijesuriyawardene.
Subash Neroshan and Siriwardene Bandara who are well versed in classical
and low country styles, from the Ruhunu ballet. Daminda Priyangika
and Kalum Piyadarshana on the other hand are more into Latin and
freestyle forms.
Q: How do these dancers with such varied backgrounds relate to your
style of choreography?
Since I incorporate many styles in my choreography as well,
there is something for everyone to relate to. But when they are
confronted with something they are not familiar with, they are challenged.
Q:
You are well known in dance circles for using unusual music for
your choreography. What sort of music have you chosen for this show?
“There are eleven dance items in the show and eleven
pieces of music. Most of them are pieces I have heard and wanted
to dance for, the moment I heard them. They vary from rock, jazz,
ethnic and classical to nu-metal, synthesizer and world music.”
Q: How did you go about fitting these pieces of music to your various
theme subjects?
“It wasn’t that difficult really! For example,
when I thought of conflict as a subject I immediately thought of
jazz and this simply wonderful piece of music by this much respected
jazz drummer called Terri Lynne Carrington came to mind.”
Q: Are you featuring any guest artists?
“Oh yes! The famous dancer and drummer Shilpadipathy
Piyasara and his crew and Bharathanatiyam dancer Nirmala John whom
I can only describe as sublime, have agreed to take part in my show.”
Q: What can the audience expect from Life, Love, Death And After?
“Apart from appreciating the entertainment side
of it, if they were to walk away feeling they have just been through
a moving experience, I think I can say that I have justified my
existence as an artist.”
Tickets
for the show will be available at the Lionel Wendt and Barefoot.
The show is produced by Footwork Productions and the lighting provided
by Cool Tempo. It is directed by Priyanka Holsinger.
- Al Neumann |
