The WGRUV Dance Company presents Trilogy of Notes – A Symphony of Dance at four theatres across Cape Town and Gauteng in in the next few months. Artistic Director Holly Gruver shares her insights about contemporary dance with JANE MAYNE.
What was your primary vision when you created WGRUV?
In 2022 the opportunity presented itself to embark on a longtime desire I had to launch a contemporary ballet company of integrity. With a high value for strong technique, my goal was to bring classic American styles of contemporary and ballet to merge with local talent both in dancers and choreographers of Africa.
How does one bridge the classical / contemporary divide in terms of movement – is it easy to build on longstanding tradition?
Classical training in ballet is of course necessary to accomplish ballet repertoire well. This training is also critical for strong contemporary dancers and choreography. Paying attention to Line, form, as well as intention behind movement in modern styles, creates a quality that is graceful and rich to view. Staying true to technique and looking after it, allows us to harness the integrity of past works and also embark on new innovative works with good form.
The importance of story telling features large in your work – what are you trying to get across in your messaging?
Our mission is to create hope through the art of story telling. Every dance piece whether, literal or abstract sends a message. The work we put out always intends to add life and hope to the viewer because there is enough hardship and negativity in the world as it is.
What’s your view of the current status of contemporary dance – are many companies pushing boundaries? And where does WGRUV fit in?
My view is to keep our focus as a company on producing quality life giving work that isn’t dark and excels in keeping strong technique foundational so that non ballet styles we do are supported and executed with integrity and precision. Much of the work out there is really well done and I find inspiration through many contemporary companies but there are a small number of dance companies on this continent and we are helping to push those numbers by adding our footprint here in South Africa.
Can you share any technical info – is there a new standard in athleticism?
We train our dancers mainly along the Russian style of ballet daily, working to maintain and also improve what is already present. WGRUV dancers also have a diet of Graham based contemporary technique as we can fit it into our schedule. Our team works to continue regular conditioning in pilates and core fitness, recovery techniques as well as seasonal water therapy etc.
This is your third season for 2024, what does Trilogy of Notes add to your body of work?
Trilogy of Notes is our first major season highlighting all international American choreographers. In this performance, South African musicians will sprinkle in accompanying the dancers enhancing the live art atmosphere. Characterized by classy quality dance, WGRUV continues to uphold this description in Trilogy as the neoclassical, American modern and jazz influences are unveiled.
Please expand on the choreography for the show?
Choreographers of our show include Jessica Lang whose Vivace Motifs has been been restaged on WGRUV by Rachel Secrest and will be premiering for the first time in South Africa, a stunning ballet in 4 movements. Permission to Fall was created by Brad Beakes who danced with Doug Varone and it is a theatrical contemporary ballet about relationships and the facades we can put up in effort to avoid failure. The final section of our show features contemporary choreographer Michael Trusnovec’s work in, the weight of moment. This 1950’s era piece is set to June Christie’s music and will leave you in a good mood!
The whole show is interwoven with the artistry of talented musicians Emmanual Paul and Darlington Okofu.
How will dancers intersect with double bassist Emmanuel Paul?
Emmanuel and Darlington accompany the dancers in a beautiful solo interlude playing the sounds of Luke Howard. They also feature within the 50’s era music playing the bass notes of June Christie and highlight Handels musical notes in the introduction to Vivace Motifs.
What does the collaboration with Joburg Ballet bring?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory collaboration has provided a rich opportunity to engage in a full length ballet under the direction of the talented Mario Gaglione.
The magical story telling of Roal Dahl is just a chocolate treat to be a part of. WGRUV values opportunity to join with other South African companies aiming to keep the arts alive.
All in all, would you describe Trilogy of Notes as another profound “labour of love”?
Everything I produce is a serious labor of love as I tend to put all my energy into making something the best that I can.
What’s your concept of the boundaries of dance and free form movement (if any)?
Dance can be executed by anyone with a heartbeat. But classical dance in the different forms we perform takes technical training which is difficult, time consuming and takes perseverance and commitment. There is always a place for organic or “free form” movement that technical dancers benefit from so their dancing doesn’t become too rigid or prescribed. Once the professional dancer marries their technical form with organic free movement keeping the integrity of both, hopefully one can really enjoy dance.
Anything else you’d like to share?
There are ways to spend an evening out to dinner, live music, watching TV, a visit to the orchestra or theatre. It will be well worth a ticket to Trilogy of Notes if you’d like to take in a performance that will leave you encouraged and uplifted wanting more.
Cape Town shows:
Venue: The Star Theatre at the HCC Event Centre
Dates & Show Times: Thursday, 17 October: 18h00
Friday, 18 October: 19h00
Saturday, 19 October: 15h00
Ticket prices: General: R220, Pensioner: R170, Block bookings (10+): R155
Bookings: www.wgruvdance.com
Pretoria shows:
Venue: Atterbury Theatre
Dates & Show Times: Wednesday, 6 November and Thursday, 7 November: 19h00
Ticket prices: General: R220, Pensioner: R170, Block bookings (10+): R155
Bookings: www.wgruvdance.com
Roodepoort shows:
Venue: Roodepoort Theatre
Dates & Show Times: Wednesday, 20 November; Thursday, 21 November and Friday, 22 November at 19h00. Saturday, 23 November: 15h00
Ticket prices: General: R220, Pensioner: R170, Block bookings (10+): R155
Bookings: www.wgruvdance.com or webtickets.co.za
Find out more out about WGRUV Dance Company’s BEYOND DREAMS, or their PHETOGO production.
And, read Sheila Chisholm’s review of WGRUV Dance Company’s Vignettes.
What: Holly Gruver interview Trilogy of Notes
Where, when:
Cape Town: Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre, 17, 18, 19 October 2024
Pretoria: Atterbury Theatre, 6 and 7 November 2024
Johannesburg: Roodepoort Theatre, 20, 22, 23 November 2024
Johannesburg: Lesedi Theatre, Joburg Theatre, 4, 5, 6 December 2024
Trology of Notes tickets: www.wgruvdance.com
WS