By Bernadette Rae
Bypassed in the last funding round, but full of energy with creative juices flowing, Black Grace's New Works 1999, a studio collection of what's fresh, fast and funny, proves again that there can be triumph in adversity.
Company members, one past and five present, have choreographed all six works
in the hour-long show, playing at the Maidment Theatre until tomorrow.
They have also provided most of the costumes, music, lights and PR, all outside their regular hours in day jobs.
A programme is one minor accessory that failed to materialise.
Instead, the company's charming artistic director, Neil Ieremia, wanders on stage to do the honours, usually confined to the credits page, and explains the show's objectives: to give the company's dancers a chance to choreograph, to "take a few risks in a relatively safe environment" and to raise some money.
The dancers/choreographers follow suit, each introducing his work. Folksy it may be. But lacking sophistication and significance it is not.
The company has moved on from the heavy-duty sexual-orientation themes that have dogged contemporary dance for a long time.
Instead, they celebrate their male and Polynesian energy with great vitality and a natural integrity - gay or straight.
Sam Fuataga performs the curtain-raiser - a soulful, unaccompanied song, When You Cry.
Master craftsman and artist Tairoa Royal offers Whetu Waru (Seventy Eight), which refers to childhood memories of life on a Rotorua farm - and the old gramophone.
Royal spreads his huge talent through almost every work in the programme, including Ueta Sifiene's sidesplitting A Small Glimpse (of the boys' night out) with Fuataga in rampant Michael Jackson mode.
Simon Fa'amoe visits the supermarket and beyond in Fruit and Veg.
Mala Tevita's introduction to hip-hop culture via break-dancing almost overshadows the actual piece - which is still cool.
Siaosi Mulipola's Falling From Grace and Ieremia's Deep Far, a shamanistic look at the weather and men's souls, add a serious tone.
What: Black Grace Dance Company - New Works 1999
Where: Maidment Studio Theatre
When: Until tomorrow
