In the landscape of contemporary dance, there's something uniquely captivating about the duet. Two bodies in space, communicating through movement, can create worlds of meaning that speak to the most fundamental human experiences — connection, conflict, intimacy, and power. This essential dance relationship takes centre stage in a new festival coming to Sydney this autumn.
FORM Dance Projects, in partnership with Riverside Theatres, presents That's Two, Thank You, a bold new dance festival dedicated entirely to the art of the duet. Running from March 28th to April 5th at Riverside's intimate Lennox Theatre in Parramatta, this inaugural two-week celebration promises to showcase the remarkable range and depth possible when two dancers share the stage.
"From gladiatorial bombast to featherweight flirtation," as the festival's tagline suggests, the carefully curated program demonstrates how the seemingly simple configuration of two performers can generate extraordinary complexity and emotional resonance. The five-show lineup brings together some of Australia and New Zealand's most innovative contemporary dance artists, each approaching the duet form with distinct creative perspectives.
Leading the impressive roster is Helpmann Award-winning performer Sara Black, whose precision and emotional depth have made her one of Australia's most celebrated contemporary dancers. She joins renowned choreographer Omer Backley-Astrachan, whose distinctive movement language blends Middle Eastern influences with contemporary Western techniques.
The festival also features Sydney-based contemporary dancer Jana Castillo, known for her fearless physical commitment and expressive range, alongside Wellington-born choreographer Sacha Copland, whose playful, accessible works have delighted audiences throughout New Zealand and beyond.
Indigenous voices feature prominently through the participation of award-winning choreographer and performance maker Vicki Van Hout, whose work consistently challenges and expands contemporary dance through First Nations perspectives. Meanwhile, acclaimed African dancer Lucky Lartey partners with internationally awarded contemporary choreographer Daniel Navarro Lorenzo, promising cross-cultural dialogues through movement.
The program includes several distinctive productions. Common Place explores the space between two bodies navigating shared territory, while twobytwo examines duality through contrasting movement vocabularies. The Dataset takes a more conceptual approach, using dance to visualise the relationship between humans and technology.
Perhaps most intriguing is the festival's conclusion with DUELS, a competitive platform where emerging and established choreographers present original duet works before a panel of judges. This competition serves as a potential pathway to FORM's new international partner, the prestigious Rotterdam International Duet Choreography Competition in the Netherlands.
Beyond showcasing exceptional talent, That's Two, Thank You reflects FORM Dance Projects' ongoing commitment to developing and promoting contemporary dance in Western Sydney. By focusing on the duet form—economical in its resources but limitless in its expressive potential—the festival creates valuable opportunities for both artists and audiences.
For dance enthusiasts, the concentrated format offers an opportunity to explore how different choreographic approaches can transform the same basic configuration into radically different experiences. For newcomers to contemporary dance, the accessible nature of duet work—with its clear relationships and often narrative qualities—provides an ideal entry point to the art form.
Initiatives like That's Two, Thank You play a crucial role in nurturing new work and building connections between local artists and international platforms. This promising inaugural festival may well establish itself as an essential fixture in Australia's contemporary dance calendar.
That's Two, Thank You runs March 28-April 5 at Riverside Theatres' Lennox Theatre, Parramatta. Tickets and full program details available at https://riversideparramatta.com.au/event-campaign/thats-two-thank-you/
(Images: Lint Gannon)
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