âMelancholia is the premiere work of Melbourneâs own contemporary tap dance company, Studio Stocks. Founded by acclaimed tap dance artist Garry Stocks, Studio Stocks pushes the boundaries of percussive dance, weaving elements of contemporary movement with a fresh, genre-defying approach to tap. Audiences explore the depths of loss, pain and grief, while discovering moments of hope and healing through the power of rhythm.
Performed by an extraordinary cast of some of Australiaâs most accomplished tap dance artists and rising talents, this evocative work promises to captivate, challenge and resonate with audiences on a profound level. Experience a performance that marks a new era in tap artistry and enjoy the emotional range that tap dance can embody from exuberant joy to deeply poignant reflection.â
That was the introductory write-up, so needless to say as a lover of all things âdanceâ, when I walked into one of my favourite theatres in Melbourne I was about to be in my element witnessing this ground-breaking creative at Chapel Off Chapel. I always enjoy the shows at this very professional boutique theatre and Iâve definitely seen some of the best shows Iâve ever seen here. They are often âdifferentâ, âout thereâ and âexploratoryâ.
âMELANCHOLIAâ – the meaning of the word surrounds depression and sadness, so I was very interested to see how the art form of tap dancing would be combined with contemporary dance to fuse the two; and how the cast would work together to bring about an actual embodiment of âjoyâ from such a strong meaning in the title word. But this show does just that. Youâll leave happy, amazed and gobsmacked by what youâve just seen.
Forget the toe tapping sounds done in concerts or musicals with a hat and cane. On stage, dressed in normal clothes (no fancy costumes) are some of the best tap dancers our country has; street style, their style. Blessing us with their ability to tap with the utmost clarity whilst also often moving their bodies in contemporary facilitation to music they also need to be in sync with; I found the concept alone mindboggling!
When I enter the theatre there are already six dancers on the stage; it is dark and they seem dark; gazing, sitting, lying, sliding, rolling. It was fun to watch them all and try and work out where their thoughts were and what their story was. Perhaps there was one and perhaps there wasnât. Then another steps out of the wings in slow motion, and another – circling her feet in something like an imaginary puddle, seemingly not sure if she should step into it or not.
The show fires up and everyoneâs on board, brilliant piece after brilliant piece, it is cleverly sectioned for the audience to enjoy and the artists to clearly demonstrate their skill sets both individually and in groups. Four girls. Four boys. Always great to see boys dancing!
It is a rare treat to see a companyâs Director/Choreographer also on stage as part of the cast and my favourite was the duet by Garry Stocks and his wife Jade Wood. Garry in his tap shoes and Jade without on her contemporary side; an improbable mix, but they expressively tell a very genuine interpretation of togetherness with the choreography and execution of both styles being impeccable of course (both having performed extensively with the Australian Ballet).
The use of clever lighting in featured spotlights and strobe effects embellish the performance, but also very effective is the use of tiny spotlights hand-held and transferred by the dancers in action. I wonder who thought to incorporate this idea – genius. Loved the part when we were left with light on nothing but the shoes – they bring the absolute brightness here, and the âcamp fireâ was the final magic touch duly deserving of the standing ovation.
Whilst I was expecting to be surprised with something new, I wasnât expecting the feelings that I felt watching this show. More than once it sent a shiver, and tears were close on my cheek at the end. It’s not sad though, I think I just realized it was an absolute privilege to be there. I had just seen something totally different, totally out-there and totally exploring new ground.
In summary, the work is actually quite difficult to explain in words and when I asked my dancer daughter her opinion, she said exactly what I was thinking: âitâs like nothing Iâve ever seen before, itâs something you have to go seeâ. It truthfully is an evolution in dance.
Please, everyone who loves dance, do yourself a favour and check out the website for updates on Stocks Studiosâ future productions and opportunities to be involved: https://www.garrystocks.com/studio-stocks
To understand just how good this new dance company is, you must go see them.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAST:
GARRY STOCKS
PAIGE POTE
TIARNA LEIGH
JAYDEN WATSON
BILL SIMPSON
LUCAS THOMSON
CLAIRE STUBS
JADE WOOD
Photographer: Bill Simpson
