Ballet BC Presents UN/A

BCLiving gets a sneak preview of Ballet BC’s UN/A

From April 24 to 26, Ballet BC will be presenting a brand-new production at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre entitled UN/A. The show features the work of internationally renowned choreographers Giaconda Barbuto, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and Cayetano Soto. The three have teamed up with Ballet BC’s dancers and artistic director, Emily Molnar, to create a performance that is as much about individuality as it is about cooperation.

On Tuesday, April 15, a select group of media and special guests were treated to the first full run-through of the portion choreographed by Barbuto. Barbuto’s choreography is largely influenced by the musical selection of London-based experimental classical composer, Gabriel Prokofiev (the grandson of legendary composer Sergie Prokofiev). Barbuto brought the music to the company and developed the choreography in partnership with the dancers. She emphasized the importance of preserving the unique touch each dancer brought to the movements.

The preview began quietly with just one of the 18 dancers onstage until the music started and other dancers joined in. The piece maintained an ebb and flow of rising tension, crescendo and then resolution. UN/A defies a traditional storyline, but – in Barbuto’s signature style – it draws audiences in with its manipulation of physicality.

UN/A is an exploration of an evolving world of dance that combines the technicality of classical training, feats of athleticism and the combined artistic creativity of its collaborators. For audiences, Barbuto provides a piece of advice: “Don’t try to think. Don’t try to figure it out. Just enjoy it.”