Balabala
Five young women draw on ancient martial art traditions to carve out a new space of their own in the world premiere season of the sister work to Cry Jailolo from renowned choreographer Eko Supriyanto - presented as part of Asia TOPA.
Balabala sees female youth from Eastern Indonesia finding a powerful contemporary voice through movement. Hierarchies of culture and gender collapse before the might of this ensemble, as the women carve the space around them with slow, powerful movements drawn from Indonesian martial arts. Poised at the brink of adulthood, they channel their energy with an intense focus building an irresistible momentum. The stirring image they produce is one of strength, commanding a space for the individual amid the crowded noise of duties – to family, to community, to the past. This is a space of potential, of creation, of now.
Once again joined by renowned choreographer Arco Renz, Supriyanto's Balabala is both a tribute to the history of women in the region and the multiple roles they play in modern Indonesia.
"...confidence, determination and a fierceness that [belies] their age." - Inside Indonesia
*** NOTE: Full Price Listed is for a double pass. You may take up single tickets.
Feedback/Comments
I don't understand this form of art
It's always great when you can tell performers are enjoying what they are doing, and that's exactly what happened in this show.
Very well done story with very few words, definitely worth watching.
Really enjoyed this - slow start but built up.
The girls were a pleasure to watch.
Wonderful theatre & the program notes were very helpful for a better understanding of this very engaging work.
Quite mesmerising.
From flowing movements to erratic spasms on a bare stage, with minimal lighting effects, produced a work open to all sorts of interpretations. The blending of voice, music and movement created a wonderful work. At times I felt that the light effects could have been enhanced to provide more drama. Lovely piece of dance theatre which I enjoyed greatly.
Mesmerising, haunting and inspiring. 5 young Indonesian women transport us through their movement to another space, place and culture. Beautiful!
Enjoyed the energy and beautiful rhythm and movements of the troup. Music was sensational!
Smoothly undulating and slo-mo poses invoke almost sacred or at least secret scenes for the viewer.
Excellent & amazing energy to watch