SKEELS DANSE (Montreal)
Rose of Jericho
Andrew Skeels
Before turning to choreography, Andrew Skeels danced with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, where he encountered the styles of Kylián, Ek, Celis and Veldman. In constant evolution, his approach draws on his classical ballet training and his explorations into contact improvisation and breakdance. His work is energetic, musical, incisive—in a word, dazzling. “The audience is the final element that gives life to a dance”, he says. In Rose of Jericho, Skeels uses the resilient Middle Eastern plant as a metaphor for a transcultural cross-fertilization between perseverance and rebirth. Joining him on the creative team are two other artistic nomads, musician Sussan Deyhim and designer Wilber Tellez. In an exotic, evocative setting, an eclectic ensemble of seven dancers from various disciplines performs a great escape. Movement as calligraphy; a paean to diversity.
Photo © Damian Siquieros. Dancers Alisia Pobega, Brett Andrew Taylor.
