From the opening moments, the performance establishes itself as a profound study in contrasts. After a synergy of subtle movement synchonised between the performers, Backley-Astrachan's muscular, energetic movements create a compelling counterpoint to Castillo's elegant precision. This isn't merely aesthetic. It serves as the fundamental language through which the piece communicates its emotional depth. As the title suggests, the work finds extraordinary beauty in the ordinary terrain of human connection.
Castillo, previously recognised as a "Dancer to Watch" by Dance Australia, demonstrates precisely why she's earned such acclaim. Her technical virtuosity is undeniable, but it's her ability to infuse each gesture with emotional resonance that elevates her performance. She moves with remarkable fluidity, her lines simultaneously conveying both vulnerability and strength. Having performed with prestigious companies including Australian Dance Theatre and internationally with Shaun Parker and Company, Castillo brings a seasoned maturity to her role that anchors the performance.
The chemistry between the performers proves vital. Their bodies meet and separate in sequences that swing dramatically between tender intimacy and explosive tension, much like the relationships they represent. In one particularly affecting sequence, the dancers engage in a passage of weight-sharing that requires absolute trust and precision, metaphorically embodying the delicate balance required in any meaningful partnership.
Backley-Astrachan's choreography demonstrates his sophisticated understanding of spatial dynamics. The dancers repeatedly "ride the edge of chaos," as described in the program notes, creating moments where control and abandon exist simultaneously. This tension generates a compelling narrative throughline without resorting to literal storytelling, allowing the audience to project their own experiences onto the movement.
Common Place is its celebration of dance as a communicative medium. Rather than treating technique as an end in itself, the performance harnesses virtuosity in service of emotional authenticity. When the dancers reach, swivel, and grip one another, these gestures communicate volumes about human attachment and the complicated ways we navigate closeness.
Ritualistic elements materialise through recurring movement motifs that evolve throughout the performance. These repeating patterns create a sense of ceremony, transforming the stage into a space where the ordinary becomes extraordinary through focused intention and presence.
The performance ultimately achieves what contemporary dance aspires to do. It transcends technique to speak directly to shared humanity. In celebrating the fearlessness required to connect authentically with another person, the performance reminds us that dance, at its core, is about our capacity for empathy and emotional resonance. As these dancers navigate their relationship on stage, we might recognise our own struggles and triumphs in their movements, making this common place anything but common.
WHERE: Parramatta Riverside Theatres as part of THATS`S TWO, THANK YOU Dance Festival.
WHEN: Until 5 April 2025
TICKETS and DETAILS: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/whats-on/common-place/
FESTIVAL PRODUCER: FORM Dance Projects
(images: Ange Maloney)
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